Airlines
Reshaping The Passenger Experience
IATA will be focusing on how technology, data, customization and digital transformation will reshape the customer experience of tomorrow at its 2017 World Passenger Symposium (WPS) which takes place in Barcelona, Spain from Oct. 24-26. Aleks Popovich, senior vice-president, financial and distribution services for IATA, observed, “Digital transformation is a key strategic driver for our industry. Our customers are telling us what they value through the choices they make: from their preferred digital device to shop for air travel, to what they purchase, to how they check-in, to their...
A Fair Exchange
Transat A.T. inc. and Thomas Cook Group Airlines have signed a seven-year agreement for the exchange of aircraft on a seasonal basis. Under the terms of the agreement, Thomas Cook will make available every winter to Air Transat a number of narrow body Airbus A321s and will receive at least one wide-body Airbus A330-200 in return. That exchange of aircraft will allow each of the companies to manage and utilize their fleets more efficiently. As well, the new deal takes advantage of the different seasonality of the two companies. Air Transat uses a greater number of smaller aircraft...
Demand Keeps Climbing
IATA reports that global passenger traffic data for August showed that demand (measured in total revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) climbed 7.2% compared to the year-ago period. At the same time, IATA said, the upward trend in seasonally-adjusted traffic has eased from that seen at the end of 2016. August capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 6.3%, and load factor climbed 0.7% percentage points to 84.5%, which was just below the record for the month set in 2015. Alexandre de Juniac, IATAs director general and CEO, noted that: “Following the strong summer...
Air Canada, Amadeus Team Up
Under a new agreement between Amadeus and Air Canada, AC is poised to harness the best of both in support of its business strategy to enhance customer experience, improve profitability and operational performance in support of its growing international network. The airline has signed up for the full Amadeus Altéa Suite passenger service system (PSS) including reservations, inventory, and departure control solutions. The Amadeus Altéa Suite, once fully implemented, will enable Air Canada to enhance customer experience by delivering more consistent and personalized customer service...
Give the Gift of Travel
WestJet is getting into the holiday spirit early with gift cards now available for purchase on westJet.com – just in time for those thinking about shopping for family and friends this holiday season. “The gift of flight is the gift of experience, adventure and travel to any of WestJet's more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe,” said Marshall Wilmot, WestJet chief loyalty officer. “You can now give and receive the gift of travel, whether that is to cover the entire cost of someone's ticket or make a contribution; it's a very...
Air Transat Celebrates With A Seat Sale
Air Transat is inviting Canadians to fly for less to their favorite destination with its best deals when booking by Oct. 23. Travellers can benefit as of today from this great offer and choose one of Air Transats 60 destinations in Europe, the South, Florida and Canada. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Air Transat will offer to 30 lucky winners the chance to travel for free. No need to register: all travellers who will book a flight by Oct. 23 will be automatically entered to win. Transat's Sun holidays feature all-inclusive packages to 36 destinations in Florida, Mexico, the...
WestJet Gives Mexico A Big Lift
WestJet will be expanding its service to Mexico, adding flights from Calgary and Vancouver to Mexico City, with the nonstop, year-round flights beginning March 2018. Ed Sims, executive vice-president commercial for WestJet, said that, “We are proud of our continued investments in connecting the economies of Canada and Mexico and providing choice and competition for Canada's business and leisure travellers.” Sims pointed out that, “These flights will also enable Mexican visitors an affordable option to discover our country and Mexican businesses to increase commercial...
Transat Resumes Normal Airline Operations to Cuba
Transat has resumed its normal airline operations to Varadero and Holguin, Cuba. In addition, the tour operator reports that hotels in Havana, Cayo Largo, Camagüey, Varadero and Holguin are fully operational – and the white-sand beaches are bigger and lovelier than ever. Transat will resume its operations to Santa Clara on Nov. 11 and to Cayo Coco on Nov....