Airlines
Traveller Numbers Reach New Heights
On the move... the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced industry performance statistics for 2017, revealing that worldwide annual air passenger numbers exceeded four billion for the first time, supported by a broad-based improvement in global economic conditions and lower average airfares. At the same time, airlines connected a record number of cities worldwide, providing regular services to more than 20,000 city pairs in 2017, more than double the level of 1995. Such increases in direct services improve the industry’s efficiency by cutting costs and saving...
Farquharson Leaves WestJet
WestJet has announced changes to its sales leadership team. Effective immediately, Lyell Farquharson, vice-president, Sales, has left WestJet. In the interim, while officials look to recruit a permanent replacement for this position, the following members of the airline's Commercial Leadership team will cover all key sales areas: Brian Znotins, vice-president, Network, Schedule Planning and Alliances, will now also oversee the Sales Strategy and Distribution and Travel Support teams, with Peter Kelava, director, Sales Strategy and Distribution, and Tim Paul, senior manager, Sales...
Solid Traffic Growth, Record Load Factor: IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported healthy global passenger demand for July with all regions reporting growth. Total revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) rose 6.2%, compared to the same month last year. While this was down from 8.1% year-over-year growth in June, it nevertheless marked a solid start to the peak passenger demand season. Monthly capacity (available seat kilometres or ASKs) increased by 5.5% and load factor rose 0.6 percentage point to a record high for July of 85.2%. “The industry posted another month of solid traffic growth. And the...
WestJet Introduces New Chief Operating Officer
WestJet has announced the appointment of Captain Jeffrey (Jeff) Martin to the position of chief operating officer. Martin will join WestJet on Sept. 24, subject to Canadian immigration approval. “Jeff is a highly accomplished aviation executive and an outstanding addition to our team,” said Ed Sims, WestJet president and CEO. “As WestJet continues to transform into a global airline, Jeff's extensive international experience will help ensure our continued success.” Reporting to Sims, Martin will oversee more than 11,000 WestJetters in WestJet's Flight Operations (including...
South African Airways Puts Africa On Sale
South African Airways (SAA) has placed select destinations in Africa on sale with special savings for travel from Washington DC Dulles Airport (IAD) to Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa and travel from Washington DC Dulles (IAD) to Accra, Ghana. The fares start from $849 roundtrip (restrictions apply) and are available for purchase until Sept. 5 for travel in the fall from Oct. 26 to Dec. 9 or early next year from Jan. 10 to March...
WOW Introduces Special Fares to India
Iceland's WOW air is enticing Canadians to visit India next year with special fares from Toronto and Montreal. One-way trips from January through March 2019 start from $299. According to officials, February and March are a good time to visit India as the weather is not too hot and not too cold. In addition, Holi, the annual colourful festival of love, begins March 20 and is considered one of the most celebrated events in...
Air Canada Confirms Mobile App Data Breach
Air Canada has confirmed that it has locked all of its mobile App accounts due to unusual login behaviour between Aug. 22-24. There are approximately 1.7 million Air Canada mobile App user profiles and an Air Canada investigation determined that approximately 1% or 20,000 profiles may potentially have been improperly accessed. The airline took action to block these attempts and implemented additional protocols to protect against further unauthorized attempts. As an additional security precaution, all mobile App accounts were locked to protect customers’ data. To reactivate an Air...
Swoop Introduces Edmonton-Winnipeg Service
Swoop has launched new direct service four times weekly between Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG). Service begins Oct. 11 and will operate through to April 27, 2019. “This is a welcome addition to our western base of Edmonton,” said Steven Greenway, president of Swoop. “We are witnessing a positive response to our ultra-low-cost model in both Edmonton and Winnipeg. Connecting these two cities is a natural progression of our network strategy as we continue to stimulate more travel, more often for our savvy...