Airlines
Still Time to Win Hong Kong Trip
Agents have until June 15 to sign up for both PartnerNet and CXAgentsCanada for a chance to win a trip to Hong Kong. PartnerNet is an interactive platform for trade partners to build network and explore business opportunities, while CXAgentsCanada.com is a key source of information for travel agents about all things Cathay Pacific. Sign up now at promo.baxter.net/contest/hongkong.asp...
AC Inaugurates Amsterdam, Mexico City Services
Air Canada further expanded its global network with the launch of new flights between Toronto and Amsterdam and Montreal and Mexico City. “Air Canada has firmly committed to a strategy of profitable international expansion and these flights are yet further evidence that we are delivering on this promise. The addition of Amsterdam to our global network is being welcomed by customers because the city is both a popular tourist destination and a major business center with longstanding links to Canada. Air Canada is the only Canadian carrier to offer the route year-round and it will...
Not A Happy Camper
In an advisory to its members – http://www.acta.ca/advisory/lf/lf2015.html -- on this week's announcement by Lufthansa Group that it would be implementing a 16 Euro distribution cost charge (DCC) on tickets for bookings that did not come through its web site, B2B agency portal, service centres or airport ticket counters beginning Sept. 1, 2015, ACTA said that it found "it discouraging that the Lufthansa Group could not find other mechanisms to absorb the 'distribution costs' of E16." The association stated that: "By passing this cost on to the agent, or forcing them to use an...
Transat Taking Club Class to the Next Level
Air Transat’s Club Class, featuring wider leather seats, personal entertainment systems and dedicated flight attendants, is getting an upgrade. Air Transat’s redesigned Club Class now includes top-of-the line cutlery, fine porcelain and linens and chef-designed menus on flights to and from Europe. Dessert, cheese and port service following the main meal are still available on all flights serving lunch and dinner. In addition, flights which depart after 10 p.m. from Canada to Europe will serve a comforting soup with a light snack so passengers can have a quick bite before getting...
Sky’s The Limit With New Greece Flights
The new kid on the aviation block says it's putting more money in the bank accounts of travel agents who send clients to Athens and some other points in Europe, reports Ian Stalker in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Denis Coderre, deputy chief commercial officer for SkyGreece Airlines, says the three-year-old Athens-based carrier – founded by Greek-Canadians and which has many former Olympic Airways staffers on its payroll – is “presently paying 15% commission for any dates, any destination we offer,” a figure that's likely to raise eyebrows among travel agents who...
WestJet Links New Scotland with Old Scotland
All ye lads and lasses, WestJet is now offering non-stop services between Halifax and Glasgow, Scotland. Heralding this new route, which launched May 29, WestJet hosted several events in Halifax including an evening reception on the eve of the first flight. Guests included corporate bigwigs from the local Nova Scotia community and WestJet Rewards clients. WestJet president Gregg Saretsky (third from left) commented, “We started this service because we want to connect new Scotland with old Scotland (referring to the strong Scottish heritage found in Nova Scotia). We expect...
Lufthansa Redirects Commercial Strategy
With the percentage of revenue being generated from the sale of its flight tickets “continuously decreasing,” Lufthansan Group is taking action to “redirect” its commercial strategy in order to counteract this trend. In 2015, the Lufthansa Group indicated that it expects to generate an adjusted EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of more than EUR 1.5 billion before costs (strike-related action). Its new commercial strategy is being launched to ensure that, in the future, a greater portion of the revenue will be earned from flight operations -- the actual area of service...
Pan Am Torch Relay Takes Off to Thunder Bay
Porter Airlines transported the Pan Am flame from Toronto to Thunder Bay Saturday (May 30), on the first of four special charters for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay. Porter is the Official Canadian Airline of the Games and a signature supporter of the Toronto 2015 Torch Relays. The flame was transported in one of two Bombardier Q400 aircraft, outfitted with a customized Pan Am graphic. The graphic showcases a collection of colourful sport pictograms, representing the Games motto, “United We Play!” Porter will deliver the flame at other key points along the Torch Relay...