Airlines
Toronto Pearson Attracts New Carriers for 2018
With demand for air travel in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) continuing to grow, Toronto Pearson, which is forecast to welcome nearly 48 million passengers this year, will see several new airlines enter the local market in 2018, as well as expanded service from existing carriers and more frequent flights on some high demand routes. As a critical economic engine for Ontario and Canada, additional connectivity from Toronto Pearson opens key development opportunities for local industry and facilitates growth for area businesses. For the summer 2018 season, Air Canada will offer new...
Transat ‘Flights in Search of Santa’ Filled With Magic
Hundreds of children living with severe illnesses and their families were offered a brief respite Wednesday (Dec. 6) during the annual “Flights in Search of Santa” organized by Air Transat and the Children’s Wish Foundation. Departed on their search for Santa Claus, children were able to find him somewhere in the sky between Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Paris… and the North Pole! The memorable day began at the Air Transat check-in counters at Montreal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson, Vancouver and Paris-CDG airports. The festivities continued on to the boarding gate, where a...
Donate Aeroplan Miles To Help Children Across Canada
This week is the Air Canada Foundation and Aeroplan Miles Matching Week in support of the Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program. The program redistributes Aeroplan Miles donated by Air Canada customers to 15 pediatric hospitals across Canada by providing flights for sick children who need specialized health care not available in their community. Aeroplan will match all miles donated until Dec. 10 up to 500,000 Aeroplan Miles. “We are grateful to Aeroplan members and to Aeroplan for their ongoing support of the Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program...
October Passenger Demand Rebounds
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports global passenger traffic results for October showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometres, or RPKs) rose 7.2% compared to the same month last year. Capacity grew 6.2% and load factor climbed 0.8 percentage points to 80.8%, which was a record for the month. October’s performance was a strong bounce-back after the hurricane-related disruptions in September. Domestic and international travel growth largely was in balance. “As expected, the recent severe weather in the Americas region had only a temporary impact...
WestJet, Delta to Form Joint Venture
WestJet and Delta Air Lines are enhancing their existing partnership by entering into a “comprehensive transborder joint venture” that will increase travel choices between Canada and the US. The airlines have entered into a preliminary memorandum of understanding regarding their intention to deepen their existing partnership to form an commercial joint venture arrangement, which will offer customers access to an “extensive transborder route network, world-class airline products, enhanced frequent flyer benefits, shared airport facilities and amenities, and a more seamless travel...
Flair Removes Baggage Fees
Kelowna, BC-based Flair Airlines is no longer charging passengers for carry-on luggage. Effective immediately, for anyone booking their flights in December, Flair will remove the $30 carry-on baggage fee. Flair allows for one small personal item, and now one carry-on bag per person. Standard luggage sizes apply. Passengers will be required to pay for checked...
Air Canada Inaugurates Melbourne Service
Air Canada inaugurated new Boeing 787 Dreamliner service to Melbourne, Australia, from Vancouver Dec. 1. It marked the only non-stop service linking Canada and Melbourne, and is Air Canada's third destination in Australia. Seasonal service now operates four times weekly between Vancouver and Melbourne until Feb. 4, with year-round service beginning June 1, 2018. Air Canada's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft features 30 International Business Class lie-flat seat suites, 21 Premium Economy and 247 Economy Class seats with upgraded, and personalized in-flight entertainment at every...
Looking Back, Moving Forward
In this week's issue of Canadian Travel Press, we're proud to present our annual industry forecast which takes a look at what's gone on in 2017 and what's to come in 2018. Now before you point out that there's not much of a challenge to offering a forecast of the year just passed – although that approach would make everyone look brilliant – we anticipated that astute observation by asking contributors to reveal what they saw as the Big Surprise during the past 12 months. As for the year ahead, well we asked the question that everyone in the industry is constantly asking: What's...