Airlines
Transat Marks 30 Years
With 375 partners and guests in attendance at its facilities at Montréal-Trudeau airport, Transat A.T. Inc. celebrated its 30th anniversary yesterday, taking the opportunity to unveil its new fleet livery. “I feel a great sense of pride when I look at how far we’ve come since Nov. 14, 1987, when our first flight took off from Montreal bound for Acapulco,” said Jean-Marc Eustache, president and chief executive officer of Transat. “And our journey is far from over. While our tour operating business and our aviation operations are tried and tested, our services continue to evolve...
Island Air Ceases Operations
Hawaii Island Air, Inc. (Island Air) has ceased operations, as of Nov. 11. As a result of this announcement, all Island Air passengers must make alternative arrangements for inter-island transportation, Earlier this month, Island Air was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an effort to continue operations following threats of legal action by the Lessors of Island Air’s aircraft to ground and repossess the company’s fleet. Island Air was unable to locate a new investor or lender to provide funding to support airline flight operations and a successful...
Air New Zealand Marks 10 Years in Canada
Air New Zealand is marking a decade of linking this country with its home base, with Maureen Kam – the carrier's country manager, Canada – praising her airline's “growing strength in the Canadian market” during a Thursday Toronto gathering. Air New Zealand – which includes Vancouver in its network – has in part gained attention internationally in recent years because of catchy promotions, leading Kam to declare that, “Innovation is at the core of what we do at Air New Zealand.” Kam singled out wine, scenery and culture among New Zealand attributes, with the Toronto...
Air Canada Virtually Showcases Dreamliner Offerings
Air Canada is using virtual reality technology to simulate the experience of flying on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner for travel agents and potential customers. Through a fully immersive, interactive experience, users can explore all three cabins of service offered on board the aircraft, including enjoying a virtual International Business Class meal complete with wine in an Executive Pod. “Air Canada is always developing new ways to enhance the customer experience and to engage partners such as the travel agent community, which plays a key role in helping our customers select the...
International Tourism on Track for a Record Year
Demand for international tourism remained strong during the Northern Hemisphere summer peak season, with arrivals in July and August totalling over 300 million for the first time ever, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Many destinations reported double-digit growth, in particular in the Mediterranean. Between January and August, destinations worldwide welcomed 901 million international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors), 56 million more than in the same period of 2016. This corresponds to a robust 7% increase, well above the growth of previous years. With...
Flying Blue Program Enhanced
As of April 1, 2018, Flying Blue, Air France-KLM's loyalty program, is changing, becoming simpler to use and offering more flexibility, as well as a clearer reward scale and more choice in the use of miles. For each euro spent, Ivory, Silver, Gold and Platinum members will receive four, six, seven and eight miles, respectively. The number of miles earned will no longer depend on the distance flown between origin and destination, on flights marketed by Air France, KLM, HOP! or Joon. This, according to officials, will make the accrual of miles easier. In addition, customers will be...
A Better Way To Fly
The recent celebrations marking a decade of services by Air New Zealand to Vancouver were given special context by the event location, and by the performers who took part, reports western editor, Ted Davis. The gathering was staged at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, an ideal location for Sam George, an Elder from the Squamish Nation in North Vancouver, to welcome dignitaries and guests to the event. His performance echoed one by his grandfather, Chief Dan George. That was followed by a performance by the Te Tini A Maui Kapa Haka group, which is based in Vancouver, but...
FlyGTA Connects Waterloo Region , Downtown Toronto
FlyGTA Airlines and the Region of Waterloo International Airport have launched twice daily service to Toronto City Airport. Flights will operate Monday to Friday aboard an eight-seat twin engine Piper Panther aircraft. Flight time is 18 minutes. One-way airfare between Waterloo Region and Toronto City is $129, including all taxes and fees. “FlyGTA will operate from an executive terminal on Toronto Island, right next door to the main terminal building. When you arrive a shuttle is waiting to take you to the main terminal, where you can continue your travels by air or use the...