Airlines
LOT to Boost Toronto Service
LOT Polish Airlines is in expansion mode and Canada is in line for more service. On his first visit to this country since taking office in January, new LOT CEO Rafal Milczarski told PressToday that Canada is a special market for the airline due both to the strong Polish community here and the fact the airline's first transatlantic flight landed in Toronto (in 1972), even before the US. “Toronto is a very important route [to LOT]. I think every Polish person loves Canada; everyone in Poland has a member of the family in Canada or the US,” he said. As such, LOT, which currently...
Etihad, TUI Talking
Etihad Aviation Group and TUI AG confirmed that they're in discussions to create a strong European leisure airline group, focused on point-to-point flying to connect key tourist markets. It is proposed to contribute the touristic operations of the airberlin group and the German TUIfly company, including the aircraft currently operated by TUIfly for airberlin under a wet-lease agreement, into a new airline group established by TUI AG and Etihad Aviation Group. This new airline group would serve a broad network of destinations from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The leisure...
WestJet Goes Pink for Breast Cancer
WestJet employees' uniforms will be looking a little brighter this month with the addition of a pink, custom-designed necktie and scarf in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF). Employees across the airline's network purchased the limited edition neck wear, with 100% of the $45,000 raised going to CBCF for breast cancer research, education, and support and information programs. “Women represent more than half our workforce making breast cancer a cause worth supporting,” said Richard Bartrem, WestJet vice-president, Marketing Communications. “The WestJet brand...
Gosling Back in Canada
Alitalia has appointed Justin Gosling as its new country manager for Canada. Gosling is back in Canada following a three-year overseas posting to the Seychelles with Air Seychelles and more recently to Edinburgh with Etihad Airways. Gosling is a familiar face in the airline community in Toronto, having worked with Lufthansa, Jet Airways, HRG Canada and Etihad. He is also a past president of TAMA (Toronto Airline Manager’s Association). “I am delighted to be back home in Canada to work with one of the industry’s oldest and most iconic brands which is now committed to become...
Porter Raises Awareness for Breast Cancer
During the month of October, Porter Airlines pilots and flight attendants will wear custom Fly Pink epaulets and pins to raise awareness for breast cancer. Dedicated pilots from the airline’s Women Soar at Porter committee, which focuses on making Porter the airline of choice for women in aviation, are leading the company’s involvement in Fly Pink, a global aviation initiative raising awareness and funds for breast cancer. Porter joins more than a dozen international airlines supporting the cause. “As the first scheduled Canadian airline to get involved in Fly Pink, we knew...
WestJet Cares
Today (Sept. 30), WestJet employees will spend their day mentoring 100 youth from Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) by showing them the ins and outs of aviation at the airline's Calgary headquarters and 28 airports across Canada. “Over the last 10 years, WestJet Cares for Kids has found meaningful ways to positively impact the health and well-being of Canadian children and youth,” said Richard Bartrem, WestJet vice-president, Marketing Communications. “Today, we go beyond the gift of flight to give the gift of insight and experience. More than 100 WestJetters will be taking BBBS...
Board Approves LH-Brussels Airlines Deal
The Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG has approved a move to acquire the remaining 55% of shares in SN Airholding, parent company of Brussels Airlines. The approval paves the way for Lufthansa’s full acquisition of Brussels Airlines. The goal of Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines' officials is to complete the transaction by early 2017, after a final vote on the procedures of the call option with existing...
British Airways Introduces Special Business Class Fares
British Airways has launched some special fares for those looking to travel in style to the UK this fall and winter. Select business class tickets are available for purchase through Oct. 1 from any of British Airways’ Canadian gateways – Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal. Roundtrip ticket prices begin at $3,198 from Toronto, inclusive of all fees and taxes. Travel must take place by Dec 15 or between Jan. 10 and March 31, 2017. Customers must purchase 14 days in advance and stay for a minimum of seven days. British Airways’ Club World cabin features wide, full flat...