Airlines
Something In The Air
Baxter Media hosted its annual luncheon for airline managers at Toronto's tony Boulevard Club. Good food, good conversation and updates from officials from IATA, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and the Board of Airline Representatives in Canada (BAR Canada – www.barcanada.org) were all part of the program on a bright and sunny afternoon. Close to 40 airline types were on hand to hear the GTAA's Julien Carron provide an update on what's going on with the GTAA, including the fact that Toronto Pearson will hit the 50 million passenger mark in 2018 – marking the 9th year of...
WestJet Maintains Edmonton-Vegas Service
WestJet is advising travel agents that it will maintain non-stop service between Edmonton and Las Vegas with four weekly flights starting Oct. 11. Flights will operate Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. “We heard directly from many guests that being able to fly non-stop from Edmonton to Las Vegas on WestJet was a priority,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet vice-president, Network Planning and Alliances. “We have made this a reality so our guests can continue to book WestJet, WestJet Vacation packages as well as earn and use WestJet Rewards dollars, the WestJet RBC MasterCard...
AC Consortium Reaches Aeroplan Deal
Air Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Visa Canada Corporation and Aimia Inc. have entered into an agreement in principle for the acquisition of Aimia's Aeroplan loyalty business. In announcing the agreement on behalf of the consortium, Calin Rovinescu, president and CEO of Air Canada, said, “We are pleased to see that an agreement in principle has been reached as Aeroplan members can continue to earn and redeem with confidence. This transaction, if completed, should produce the best outcome for all stakeholders, including Aeroplan Members, as it...
Flair Adds New US Routes
Low fare carrier Flair Airlines has introduced new non-stop flights to six popular US destinations this winter. The new routes include Orlando, Tampa Bay and Miami, as well as Palm Springs, Las Vegas and Phoenix. “The majority of our new services concentrate on Edmonton and Winnipeg,” said David Tait, Flair's executive chairman. “Having brought low fare service to 10 Canadian cities this summer, we are now taking the show on the road and heading south to some of the most popular winter getaway spots.” For the winter schedule, Flair has also announced increased domestic...
Air Canada Expands Use of Alipay, WeChat Pay
Air Canada is advising agents and their clients that Alipay and WeChat Pay as payment choices are now available when booking on the carrier's North American and Hong Kong web sites. Air Canada is the first Canadian airline and is amongst the first North American carriers to offer these secure payment options in North America. “Since last fall, our customers around the world have been able to use their preferred local method of payment when purchasing flights on aircanada.com in their home country, including Alipay and WeChat Pay options in China,” said John MacLeod,...
Turkish Airlines Posts Gains
Turkish Airlines is reporting increases in both passengre and cargo revenues for the first half of 2018. Total revenue for this period increased significantly, by approximately 30 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching USD 6 billion. During this period, Turkish Airlines increased net operating profit from US$17-million to US$258-million, as a result of increasing demand and unit revenues – and this was in spite of increasing fuel prices. Turkish Airlines carried more than 35 million passengers during the first half of 2018. The carrier continues to expand its...
Transforming The Experience
IATA will be address the challenge of improving the passenger experience as demand rises at its inaugural Global Airport and Passenger Symposium (GAPS). The primary drivers of change are expected to be data-driven technology solutions. GAPS will help stakeholders across the aviation value chain map out the future around four main areas of change: The Transforming Airport: Technology will enable the transfer of some airport processes offsite and transform how passengers board their planes once they are at the airport. The World of Interactive Data: The real-time exchange of...
For The Love Of The Game
As part of its recently launched Flying Start initiative, Sunwing Foundation has partnered with not-for-profit organization, Sisters Keeper Elite Basketball, to help 100 kids in Jamaica develop their love of basketball and get ready for the school year. Along with their participation in this year's Caribbean Hoop Fest taking place in Montego Bay Aug.17 to Aug. 22, the Sisters Keeper team – which includes athletes from the Canada Elite Ontario Basketball women's team – will also be taking time off the court to give back. On August 18, they'll host a basketball camp in partnership...