Airlines
Shaking Off The Shackles
In a special to this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press, industry veteran, Marc Rosenberg writes that Lufthansa’s recent declaration of a major shake-up to its distribution model should come as no surprise to industry stakeholders who follow the ongoing struggle by airlines to reduce their costs and dependency on the GDSs. In the last 10 years similar moves, starting with Air Canada, then Northwest, American and now Lufthansa have met with mixed results. However looking back, each of these attempts to break free from the perceived shackles of the global distribution...
Airlines to Address Carry-On Bag Dilemma
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has introduced a new initiative to optimize the accommodation of carry-on bags given differing carry-on bag sizes and airline policies. Working with airline members of IATA and aircraft manufacturers, an optimum size guideline for carry-on bags has been agreed that will make the best use of cabin storage space. A size of 55 x 35 x 20 cm (or 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches) means that theoretically everyone should have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger. An “IATA Cabin OK” logo to signify to...
Emirates, Porter Launch New Interline Agreement
Emirates and Porter Airlines have launched a new interline agreement providing Canadians greater access to Dubai and beyond. The agreement allows passengers the convenience to depart daily from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) on Porter, connecting in Boston (BOS) or Washington (IAD), before continuing their journey to Dubai and beyond with Emirates. “Consistently strong flight loads out of Toronto Pearson indicate Canadians continue to enjoy Emirates’ award-winning A380 product and service offering,” said Emirates country manager for Canada, Don McWilliam. “The new...
LH Move A ‘Good Idea’
A straw poll of airline chiefs meeting in Miami for IATA's 71st annual meeting showed that fully 96% of them thought that charging customers for GDS bookings via retailers is a good idea. The poll, which did not identify respondents, was conducted during a CEO panel discussion moderated by CNN's Richard Quest. Defending Lufthansa's decision to impose a charge in order to drive bookings via its own web site, Karsten Spohr declared, "There have been too many people making money from us while we're not making enough.” Christoph Mueller of Malaysia Airlines, said, "I think it's a...
Cathay Special
For a limited period, Cathay Pacific Airways is offering savings up to 27% on select round-trip Business Class airfares from Vancouver to a number of cities in China, including Chengdu, Kunming, Guilin, Fuzhou and Xiamen. Fares start at $4,238, fees and taxes included, for Monday through Thursday departures. These special airfares are on sale until June 30 and are offered for year-round travel until May 31, 2016. No minimum stay required, although passengers may only stay three months. A complimentary Hong Kong stopover is permitted on the return journey only. Seats are limited...
Free The Funds
IATA chief Tony Tyler has once again called on Venezuela to free the $3.7 billion in blocked funds owed to airlines, saying the poor state of the country's economy is no excuse for hanging on to the cash, reports Press Today's Mike Dunbar from this year's IATA AGM in Miami. IATA wants the government to end differential exchange rates whereby carriers are forced to sell tickets at a rate of 12 Bolivars to the US but pay their in-country bills at a floating rate that's currently 199 to the dollar. IATA also wants Venezuela to establish a payment schedule and promise to consult the...
Caribbean Airlines Adds Flights
Caribbean Airlines' summer schedule sees the airline offering travellers more options to travel from Toronto to Jamaica. The airline has increased flights between Toronto and Jamaica (Kingston) from three to five weekly departures. Caribbean Airlines offers an all-inclusive inflight experience with complimentary authentic Caribbean meals and signature cocktails, and the first checked bag always flies free. Business class passengers can enjoy three complimentary checked bags, access to CAL’s business lounges, fine dining and a premium bar, plus customers also earn an extra 50%...
USTA Gives the ‘Big Three’ A Thumbs Down
The US Travel Association has come out full-force against the concerted push by America’s “Big Three” carriers to dismantle the Open Skies pacts with the governments of the “Big Three” Gulf carriers. “It’s a major issue that’s brewing,” USTA chief Roger Dow told 6,500 buyers and sellers from 74 countries in Orlando for IPW 2015 last week. And he declared that his organization was intent on keeping intact the open access agreements he said were currently in force with 114 foreign entities. Dow told an IPW media gathering that Open Skies allowed American, Delta...