Airlines
WestJet Says It Respects Arbitrator’s Swoop Order
The arbitrator presiding over the arbitration between WestJet and Swoop Inc. and the Air Line Pilot Association, International (ALPA) has issued a binding interim order regarding Swoop. The order – issued Thurs., June 7 -- directs, among other things, that existing Swoop pilots will remain in their current positions until directed otherwise by the arbitrator and that WestJet pilots can now fly Swoop aircraft at Swoop terms and conditions. The interim order further directs that ALPA, WestJet and Swoop will make a joint application to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB)...
Ukraine International Airlines Kicks Off Toronto Service
Ukraine International Airlines has begun a long-awaited goal of serving as an airborne link between Canada and Ukraine. Wednesday (June 6) saw the airline begin non-stop Toronto-Kiev service, with the Monday, Wednesday and Saturday flights using B767-300ER aircraft with three classes of service. The airline marked the launch by offering fares starting at $875 for travel to Kiev and $880 for travel to Lviv and Odessa between Oct. 17 and Dec. 15 and Jan. 16 to March 30. Ukraine International Airlines president Yuri Miroshnikov told a gathering at Toronto's Pearson International...
World’s Longest Commercial Flight Is Back
After a five-year hiatus, Singapore Airlines is set to relaunch the world's longest commercial flight, bringing back New York (Newark) Singapore service in October. The 18.5-hour flight will take place aboard the new Airbus A350-900ULR (ultra-long-range) aircraft. And for agents/travellers concerned about comfort, Singapore Airlines has that covered. The aircraft will be configured in a two-class layout, with 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy seats. Singapore Airlines' officials, along with representatives from the Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport Group,...
Take The ‘WestJet Challenge’ With TravelBrands
Travel agents have a chance to win a variety of prizes -- including air tickets and a car rental -- through TravelBrands’ WestJet Challenge, running through July 3. Participating agents can earn from 2,000 to 40,000 Loyalty Rewards. One lucky winner of the qualifying participants will also receive a grand prize of two air tickets on the new WestJet Dreamliner 787 along with a seven-day Hertz car rental. Each travel agent has an e-card with qualifying bookings on each square. Once an agent books a product on an e-card square, they will receive a stamp and attempt to make a...
Air Canada, Air China Sign Joint Venture Deal
Air Canada and Air China have signed the first joint venture agreement between a Chinese and North American airline. The signing took place at a ceremony in Beijing attended by Jianjiang Cai, chairman of Air China; Zhiyong Song, president of Air China; and Calin Rovinescu, president & chief executive officer. The joint venture enables the two countries' flag carriers and Star Alliance members to expand their existing codeshare relationship and deepen it by increasing commercial cooperation on flights between Canada and China and on key connecting domestic flights in both...
FLYGTA Connects Downtown Toronto With Muskoka
Getting to cottage country in Ontario's Muskoka region from Toronto just got a little easier for those willing to spend little extra on a new air taxi service. FLYGTA has announced the launch of regularly scheduled air service from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport to the Muskoka Airport, taking flight as of June 15. Operating as a pilot project, the proposed flights will run from June to October. Flights will operate between Billy Bishop Airport and Muskoka Airport, with an approximate travel time of 35 minutes. The twin engine Piper Panther aircraft accommodates up to eight...
Transat Has New Check-In Location at Pearson
Air Transat reports that it has officially moved its check-in counters to a new location at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Though still at Terminal 3, the new check-in counters are at the end of the departure area. The change comes with an increased number of full-service and self-service kiosks (44 in total), two self-service baggage drop-off areas and easy access to the international security checkpoint. Air Transat is working closely with GTAA during the transition in order to optimize the check-in...
EXCLUSIVE — IATA CEO Panel Tackles Thorny Issues
China’s insistence that airlines flying there identify Taiwan as mainland territory in their onboard route maps and other literature aimed at passengers or have their home countries face economic sanctions has become a thorny issue on the sidelines of the 74th IATA AGM in Sydney, reports PressToday's Mike Dunbar, who's attending the event. Some 26 carriers including Air Canada and host airline Qantas have complied with the demand that topped TV newscasts the following morning. During an airline CEO panel discussion MC’d by CNN’s Richard Quest, AC boss Calvin Rovinescu explained,...