Airlines
Porter Extends Tremblant Summer Service
Porter Airlines will be offering extended summer service to Mont Tremblant, Quebec. The carrier's twice weekly flights begin June 24 and increase to four from late July to early September. The airline's service now runs until Sept. 25, with 40 round-trip flights for the season. The extended schedule coincides with Tremblant’s fall foliage festival, the Symphony of Colours. For the golfers, Porter Escapes will be offering the ability to book tee times before arrival, along with flights and accommodation. Porter Escapes packages are available at various prices, and all resorts...
ANA Bringing Flash To YVR
A new Boeing 787 Series 9 will soon start flying between Vancouver and Tokyo in the colours of All Nippon Airways (ANA), helping to confirm the city’s increasing priority as a gateway from Asia to North America. The ANA B787-9 will kick off flights on the Vancouver-Tokyo Haneda route as of April 28. It will feature newly designed business class suites in the J class cabin. These feature a roomy, staggered configuration for more space and privacy, and a full 180 degree recline function. The 48 seats in the cabin are aligned so that every passenger has aisle access. The new...
Can’t We All Be Friends
Partnerships among all stakeholders, including governments, to help aviation fulfill its important role as a catalyst for global economic growth and development are being welcomed by IATA. IATA's director general and CEO, Tony Tyler said that: “Airlines will transport 3.8 billion passengers and 53 million tonnes of air cargo this year. In doing so, they will support some $2.4 trillion in economic activity and some 58 million jobs. In Asia-Pacific, the corresponding numbers are over $700 billion in GDP and 33 million jobs. By 2034, global demand will reach 7 billion passengers, but that...
Fleet Renewal
Air Canada has entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Bombardier Inc. for the acquisition of up to 75 Bombardier CS300 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines as part of its narrow-body fleet renewal plan. The LOI contemplates 45 firm orders plus options to purchase up to an additional 30 aircraft and includes substitution rights to CS100 aircraft in certain circumstances. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in late 2019 and extend to 2022. The first 25 aircraft on delivery will replace Air Canada's existing mainline fleet of Embraer E190 aircraft, with...
Transat Offers Zika Update
Transat has issued an updated advisory to agents on the Zika virus. In the advisory, Transat tells agents: “As you are surely aware, the Zika virus is affecting many destinations around the world. This virus is mainly transmitted through mosquito bites. As such, it is strongly recommended that travellers take precautionary measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites.” And it continues: “It should be noted that those most at risk are pregnant women and women who are planning to become pregnant. Your clients should be encouraged to obtain further information on the...
A Year Of Contrasts
IATA has released data for the 2015 safety performance of the commercial airline industry. The 2015 global jet accident rate (measured in hull losses per 1 million flights) was 0.32, which was the equivalent of one major accident for every 3.1 million flights. This was not as good as the rate of 0.27 achieved in 2014 but a 30% improvement compared to the previous five-year rate (2010-2014) of 0.46 hull loss accidents per million jet flights. There were four accidents resulting in passenger fatalities in 2015, all of which involved turboprop aircraft, with 136 fatalities. This compares...
Transformed By Change
Air Canada has reported record full year adjusted net income of $1.222 billion or $4.18 per diluted share compared to record adjusted net income of $531 million or $1.81 per diluted share in 2014 – an improvement of $691 million or $2.37 per diluted share. EBITDAR (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and aircraft rent) amounted to $2.534 billion compared to EBITDAR of $1.671 billion in 2014 -- an improvement of $863 million or 51.6%. On a GAAP basis, Air Canada reported operating income of $1.496 billion in 2015, an increase of $681 million or 83.6% from...
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...