Airlines
Icelandair Introduces Free ‘Stopover Buddy’ Service
Icelandair has launched a new “Stopover Buddy” service, designed to provide visitors to Iceland with an authentic Icelandic experience. Through April 30, passengers flying to Europe on Icelandair can request a Stopover Buddy -- free of charge -- with similar travel interests, including hiking, nature, food, culture or just city sightseeing. The assigned local “Buddy” will tailor a trip based on their shared interest – check out a favourite swimming pool, café or boutique, go hiking on a secret trail, practice yoga at a secluded hot spring, or explore a favourite spot to view...
Porter NOT For Sale
Porter Airlines has categorically denied reports that it is up for sale. In a statement, the airline said, "There is no truth to this rumour. We have heard this many times over the past several years. Porter is not for sale and there have been no discussions with any parties." That statement pointed out that, "After selling the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport last year, Porter has the strongest balance sheet of any airline in North America (debt free with substantial cash balances) and has seen tremendous growth in traffic and revenue since the opening of...
Cathay Appoints New Vice-President, Canada
Cathay Pacific Airways has appointed Nick Hays as vice-president, Canada. Hays will be based in Vancouver and will be responsible for the airline’s business and operations in Canada. Hays brings a broad range of experience to his new role. He joined Cathay Pacific’s parent company, John Swire & Sons, in Hong Kong in 2006 and has held management positions with Steamships Shipping in Papua New Guinea and Swire Shipping based in New Zealand. In 2010, he transitioned to Cathay Pacific as planning projects manager where he was responsible for route development for the airline’s...
Etihad’s Canadian GM Moving On
Etihad Airways' Craig Thomas, general manager for Canada, is leaving after being appointed general manager for the United States. Thomas, the airline's first general manager for the US, will be based in New York where he will be responsible for all commercial activity for Etihad Airways, as well as further growing the airline’s relationships with trade and corporate partners. Thomas will report to Martin Drew, senior vice-president of The Americas for Etihad Airways. Prior to his post in Toronto, Thomas served as regional general manager - Asia Pacific North and the Indian...
AC Launches Twice Daily Hamilton-Montreal Service
Starting in May, Air Canada will launch new, year-round Air Canada Express service between Hamilton, Ont. and Montreal. The new non-stop, daily flights re-establish Air Canada's presence in Hamilton by providing the only service between these two cities, as well as offering a schedule that meets the needs of both local and connecting passengers. Flights are timed to offer convenient connections to/from Atlantic Canada, including Halifax and St. John's, and to Europe including Rome, Geneva, Barcelona, Paris and Lyon. Daily Montreal-Hamilton Air Canada Express service will begin on...
Zika Concerns Growing
Tourism industry heavyweights in Canada are moving to deal with fears that travellers may have about the Zika virus, while at the same time reporting they've only seen limited concern here about a health threat that the World Health Organization last week said is spreading “explosively,” reports Ian Stalker in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. The WHO has now declared the Zika virus is an international health emergency following a Feb. 1 meeting: with authorities reporting it has now been found in more than 20 countries, most of them in Latin America. One WHO member...
Air Transat Pilots Send A Signal
Air Transat's pilots have given their union a mandate for a strike. The pilots voted in favour of authorizing a legal strike yesterday, with 96% of the 524 eligible pilots – who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) – taking part in the ballot and 97% of those voting in favour of withdrawing services if required. Capt. Patrice Roy, chairman of Air Transat's ALPA Master Executive Council, said: “These results serve as a notice to the company that our pilots are united and stand firm behind our goal of achieving a fair and equitable contract....
Air Canada, CALDA Reach New Agreement
Air Canada and the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) have signed a new contract, subject to ratification, on collective agreement terms for 12 years. Air Canada's flight dispatchers are based at the airline's Operations Centre near Toronto Pearson International Airport and assist flight crew in the preparation for flight departures and arrivals. “This 12-year agreement with CALDA is a historic achievement that recognizes the important contribution of Air Canada's flight dispatchers and, together with our other employee groups, will support long-term and profitable...