Airlines

June Busiest Month Ever at Billy Bishop Airport

PortsToronto, owners and operators of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport report that more than 250,000 passengers arrived and departed through the airport in June, marking the busiest month in the airport's history. Both Porter Airlines and Air Canada contributed to the high passenger numbers, which were a combination of leisure and business travellers. “With two award-winning commercial carriers with direct service to more than 20 destinations in Canada and the US, and connections to 80 destinations through partner airline agreements, Billy Bishop Airport is an important gateway...

Moderating Demand Trend Continues: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported global passenger traffic results for May showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometres, or RPKs) rose 4.6%, compared to the same month in 2015, which was the same level achieved in April. Capacity climbed 5.5%, which pushed the average load factor down 0.7 percentage points to 78.7%. Demand for domestic traffic rose 5.1%, outpacing international demand growth of 4.3%. “After a very strong start to the year, demand growth is slipping back toward more historic levels. A combination of factors are likely...

Air Transat Broadens $25 Baggage Fee Policy

Air Transat has introduced a new checked baggage allowance policy that includes a $25 fee on the first piece of checked baggage on flights to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central and South America. The changes, which Transat says aim to simplify and standardize its baggage policy, all while allowing the airline to align itself with the current practices of the industry, will come into effect on July 6 for departures as of Nov. 1. The policy will now take into consideration the number of pieces of checked baggage in addition to the weight and will apply to flights and packages to the...

Transat, Union Accept Mediator’s Recommendation

Air Transat and the union representing its flight attendants have accepted a federal mediator's recommendations for a collective agreement. The federal Labour department mediator submitted a new recommendation Monday night (July 4) that was accepted by both parties. It will now be submitted to a vote by flight attendants in the coming weeks. Jean-Francois Lemay, president and general manager of Air Transat, said: “We eagerly accept this recommendation, which will resolve the impasse with our flight attendants. The strike threat is ended and travellers can book and fly with us...

Transat Flight Attendants Reject Tentative Agreement

Air Transat flight attendants voted 93.2% to reject a tentative agreement reached on June 6 with the employer to renew their collective agreement. Their union, the Air Transat Component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), proposes that the parties return immediately to the negotiation table. If no new agreement is reached by July 8 at 11:59 p.m., the union will initiate pressure tactics that might include a strike. On June 1, flight attendants voted 98.5% in favour of a strike mandate. “Air Transat management is requesting a substantial increase in our workload....

Rouge Rings in Third Birthday

Air Canada Rouge celebrates its third birthday tomorrow (July 1), having grown since its inaugural flight in 2013 into an international leisure carrier with 1,600 employees, a fleet of 44 aircraft and a network of 100 routes touching five continents. “After three years of rapid growth, we will mark our third birthday on Canada Day by proudly operating 123 flights carrying more than 23,000 customers. Air Canada Rouge was first introduced as a leisure carrier in 2013 to serve Mexico, the Caribbean and select destinations in Europe. With investments in our fleet, network, and product,...