Airlines
Air Canada and Partners Make Bid for Aeroplan
Air Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Visa Canada Corporation, on behalf of a corporation to be formed, have made a proposal to Aimia Inc. to acquire its Aeroplan loyalty business (including approximately $2 billion of Aeroplan points liability at March 31, 2018) for $250 million in cash, representing a total purchase price of approximately $2.25 billion. According to officials, the proposed transaction, if accepted by Aimia, will ensure value and continuity for their members as well as customers of Air Canada, TD, CIBC and Visa. The proposal...
Aeroplan Transforming To Be Bigger, Better
Building on previously announced plans, Aimia Inc., parent company of Aeroplan, has unveiled further details of the future the Aeroplan program, focused on three pillars – offering increased flexibility, delivering leading value and improving the member experience. Recently appointed Aimia chief executive officer, Jeremy Rabe (pictured), commented on the future of the program, “The value Aeroplan already delivers to members is unmatched in the Canadian travel loyalty rewards industry. In transforming Aeroplan to be the best travel loyalty program in Canada, we will...
Power Of The People
Donald Trump’s exhortation of “America First” and all the debate around NAFTA might have some in the travel industry wondering: how does this affect me? Quite likely much more than you think, writes Brett Walker in an exclusive commentary in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. While few, if any of us, will have a smidgen of influence on any future trade agreement; tourism as a whole plays a very important role in trade. Yet, your industry and mine, our business interests and our personal and collective futures are rarely mentioned in any political or even...
Transat Enhances Onboard Pet Policy
Air Transat is now allowing passengers in Economy Class the opportunity to travel with their pet in the aircraft’s cabin. This new service, which aims to provide passengers with greater peace of mind, enhances the existing pets and service dogs policy. Thus, cats and dogs 10 kg (22 pounds) or less (including the weight of the cage) will be allowed on the vast majority of the carrier's flights. The caged animal must be placed under the seat in front of the traveller. In case an allergic passenger is seated close to an animal, accommodating measures will be taken once on...
Delta, WestJet Sign Transborder JV
Delta Air Lines and WestJet have signed a definitive deal that will see the two airlines “create a comprehensive transborder joint venture arrangement” that they say is designed to offer consumers an extensive route network within the U.S. and Canada. Delta CEO, Ed Bastian (on the left in the photo) said that: “Delta's future is global and together with WestJet, we can augment the two airlines' capabilities and bring together our strengths in this important trans-border market.” Bastian pointed out that “Combined, we will be able to offer more destinations to customers...
WestJet Honoured
WestJet has been named North America's "Best Low-Cost Airline" at Skytrax's World Airline Awards for 2018. “We're proud to be named the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America as voted on by 20 million global travellers,” said Ed Sims, WestJet president and CEO. “More than 13,000 WestJetters and their dedication and commitment to providing exceptional service are the true winners of this award. We look forward to providing our guests with more products, services and destinations, along with our caring guest experience as we transition to a global airline.” Globally, WestJet...
Air Canada Celebrates
Air Canada celebrated its 2018 Skytrax “Best Airline in North America” award yesterday onboard flight AC857 from London when executives brought the award home and at the Arrivals Hall at Pearson International where arriving passengers were treated to fresh fruit and cupcakes. Pictured at Pearson with the award are Lucie Guillemette, chief commercial officer, and Andrew Yiu, vice-president of product, along with other Air Canada employees. It is the seventh time in the past nine years the carrier was selected as the best in North America by the World Airline Awards, which are...
Cathay Pacific Spreads Its Wings
With last month's delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in Toulouse, France, Cathay Pacific is spreading its wings and set to launch a series of new long-haul destinations, reports assistant editor, Greg Coates in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. The Airbus A350-1000, the first of 20 that will join the Cathay fleet by 2021, along with the A350-900 – of which the airline has 22 in service – will serve as the backbone of Cathay’s long-haul services. After initial rounds of regional services, Cathay's new Airbus-1000 will be deployed on a Hong...