Airlines
US, Cuba Air Deal Earns Praise
Following the U.S. Department of Transportation's announcement that an agreement has been reached between the United States and Cuba restoring scheduled air service between the two countries, ASTA president and CEO, Zane Kerby commented: “ASTA congratulates DOT and its Cuban counterparts on reaching this agreement, which will increase air service to Cuba five-fold and will mean more and more affordable transportation options for Americans wishing to undertake authorized travel to Cuba. Resuming commercial air travel will benefit American consumers and the ASTA travel agents who serve...
Taking Off From YVR
Air Canada rouge launched seasonal, non-stop service between Vancouver and Cancun yesterday (Mon., Feb. 15, 2016). Benjamin Smith, president, passenger airlines for Air Canada, said: “We are delighted to launch seasonal, non-stop flights from YVR to Cancun, one of the most popular vacation destinations on the Mayan Riviera.” Smith noted that: “This winter, Air Canada offers service to Cancun from seven Canadian cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax. We continue to strategically deploy Air Canada rouge on routes with high leisure travel...
What’s NEO At LH
Lufthansa, Airbus and Pratt & Whitney were celebrating the delivery of the first A320neo in Hamburg, Germany recently. The A320neo offers better fuel efficiency and more passenger comfort through quieter engines. Carsten Spohr, chairman of the Board and CEO of the Lufthansa Group, Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégier and the president of Pratt & Whitney, Robert Leduc welcomed 700 guests to the official delivery at Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport. Following the ceremonial handover, the first two new-type aircraft were presented to the public. The first A320neo, with the...
Another Deal Ratified For Air Canada
Air Canada is welcoming confirmation by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) that its members have ratified a new contract on collective agreement terms for 12 years. The airline's flight dispatchers are based at the airline's Operations Centre near Toronto Pearson International and assist flight crew in the preparation for flight departures and arrivals. “The ratification of this new 12-year contract with our flight dispatchers, the seventh of our employee groups to do so over the past year and a half, is an unprecedented achievement that recognizes the important...
IATA Aims To Help Stop Illegal Trafficking
On any given day in South Africa, a rhino is killed by poachers every seven hours, while 54 elephants are slaughtered across the continent. If left unaddressed, both species will be extinct in the wild within the next 25 years, reports Montreal editor Mike Dunbar in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. The plight of the pangolin, or scaly anteater, is even worse. More than one million are estimated to have been poached over the past decade. While research has shown that 72% of illegal ivory is trafficked to Asia by sea, evidence also indicates that 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...