Airlines
Icelandair Going Year-Round from YVR
Due to increased demand from Vancouver, Icelandair is increasing its current seasonal service to Iceland to a full year-round schedule starting this winter. Icelandair offers three cabins of service with one checked bag, personal in-flight entertainment systems and gate-to-gate Wi-Fi available for all passengers. The expanded Icelandair service will further strengthen YVR and Icelandair’s successful partnership, which started with the launch of its YVR-Keflavik International Airport (KEF) service in 2014. The flight will continue to use the Boeing 757 aircraft and will depart YVR...
Air Travel Defying Global Challenges
Despite recent terrorist attacks and on-going geo-political wrangling, the latest global overview of air travel reveals that passengers from Europe, the Americas and the Far East, are making more bookings and taking more flights, according to ForwardKeys. Presenting its findings at the recent World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit, ForwardKeys report that: Canada is the new star destination in North America. Europe is recovering from last year's terrorist attacks - arrivals growth is back on track. Political events can have a major impact on the tourism industry: the...
WestJet Expos Have Agents Buzzing In The West
Travel agents turned out in force to meet WestJet exhibitors, partners and suppliers at the WestJet Travel Trade Expo, at venues across western Canada last week. The trade shows, plus WestJet product presentations, took place at three venues on the western side of the country, including the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary on May 1, the Northlands Edmonton Expo Centre on May 2, and the Vancouver Convention Centre on May 4. There were 346 travel agents and 59 exhibitors in Calgary; 371 travel agents and 59 exhibitors in Edmonton; 399 travel agents and 61 exhibitors in...
Make Changes Now
The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is urging the federal government to immediately implement science-based fatigue rules for all commercial pilots in Canada. In a presentation to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, ALPA's Canada president, Capt. Don Adamus said: “Updating flight time/duty time and minimum rest requirements is one of the most important aviation safety initiatives for flight crews in Canada, and new rules are long overdue. However, recent efforts to weaken proposed rules are unacceptable. We cannot continue to let...
WestJet Ramps Up Abbotsford Lift
WestJet is applauding Abbotsford and the Abbotsford International Airport for their plans to eliminate the airport improvement fee (AIF) on June 1, 2017. It's perfect timing as WestJet has launched non-stop service between Abbotsford and Winnipeg and increased frequency on the route between Abbotsford and Edmonton from 13 to 20 weekly flights. Brian Znotins, vice-president network planning, alliances and corporate development for WestJet, observed: “The leadership demonstrated by Abbotsford International Airport sets a standard we hope others will follow. Low fees allow us to...
Air Canada Adds Six New Routes
Air Canada continues to expand its international network with the addition of six new routes for the winter season: Vancouver-Melbourne, Vancouver-Orlando, Toronto-Belize, Toronto-St. Vincent, Montreal-Lima and Montreal-Phoenix. Flights are now available for booking. Benjamin Smith, president, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada, said: “Air Canada is continuing its strategic, global expansion with a diverse range of exciting new non-stop routes this winter to Australia, South America, the Caribbean and the United States.” Smith pointed out that “Vancouver-Melbourne is our...
It’s The Dreamliner
WestJet has signed a definitive purchase agreement with Boeing for up to 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The deal includes commitments for 10 Boeing 787-9 aircraft to be delivered between the first quarter of 2019 and December 2021, with options for an additional 10 aircraft to be delivered between 2020 and 2024. The airline also announced it has selected General Electric's GEnx-1B engine for the 787. Gregg Saretsky, president and CEO of WestJet, said: “This order represents an exciting new chapter in WestJet's history. We have carefully executed on our strategic plan, first...
Making It Easier To Connect
WestJet has received IATA's New Distribution Capability (NDC) level 2 certification, which confirms the airline's ability to send and receive NDC messages. NDC is a program designed to enhance the capability of communications between airlines and travel agents. Lyell Farquharson, vice-president sales and distribution for WestJet, said: “The benefits of IATA's NDC are robust and clear for both the travel trade industry and the consumer. As WestJet continues to unbundle our products and add ancillary options, these new capabilities allow us to integrate and collaborate more...