Airlines
Air New Zealand Increasing YVR-Auckland Service
Air New Zealand will move to a daily return service on its Vancouver-Auckland route over the peak northern winter period between mid-December 2015 and late-January 2016. This will be the first time the airline has operated daily return services on the route and represents a 21% increase in capacity over the previous six-week peak northern winter period. In another first, Canadian customers are now able to book the airline’s Economy Skycouch product as the route will be consistently operated by refurbished Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from Oct. 25. According to Air New Zealand...
AeroMexico’s YYZ Return Welcome News
The Mexico Tourism Board's regional director for North America is welcoming AeroMexico's decision to restart non-stop Toronto-Mexico City service. The announcement of the May 4 restart comes seven years after the airline began and then quickly abandoned the route, then deciding to refocus on other cities “because of changes in the market.” The tourism board's Rodrigo Esponda says AeroMexico's upcoming route will look attractive to Ontario residents because of the airline's “vast network” within Mexico. “Tourists will be able to connect easily to any destination in the...
WestJet Makes The Change
The speculation is over. WestJet has unveiled details of changes to its commission structure that will take effect on Oct. 1, 2015 on new bookings for domestic and transborder fares from that date forward for travel beginning October 1, 2015. The carrier said that the changes comes as a result of an initiative to continue to offer low fares and remain competitive. WestJet Vacations base commissions of 8% on a true-base package price and WestJet groups commissions at 5% on all group fares remain unchanged. As well, all fares on international flights retain the 7% base commission on...
Etihad Re-imagines Air Travel
Etihad Airways is featuring Nicole Kidman in its new “Flying Re-Imagined” global brand campaign that it has just launched. Kidman is both star and narrator of the feature, which will be shown on global TV stations and social media in both 60 and 30 second formats, with still versions of the campaign appearing in print, digital and on outdoor channels. Flying Re-Imagined was shot onboard Etihad Airways' new flagship Airbus A380 and in locations around the world, including various landmarks in Abu Dhabi. It features a digitally created scene of Kidman in the interior of the...
SkyGreece Gets Strategic
Bill Alefantis, chief commercial officer of SkyGreece Airlines and Ianko Ivanov, CEO and accountable manager of BH Air, jointly announced a new strategic joint venture between the two airlines. Alefantis said: “By adding Sofia to Athens, Thessaloniki, Zagreb and also Budapest to our hub and strategic routes, we solidify our presence in the Balkans and Eastern Europe and become a genuine alternative for travelers and travel agents searching for direct flights between Europe and North America.” He continued: “BH Air is a great company and with the addition of their 5 aircraft to...
France Is In The Air
Air France has launched its new advertising film – France is in the Air – in France and five other countries (USA, Brazil, Japan, China and Italy). The film with be aired on television channels, in cinemas, on digital media and on social networks (including Vine for the first time), and is a continuation of the campaign the carrier launched in March 2014. Created by BETC , the ad conveys both Air France's openness to the world and its pride in offering a unique French travel experience. With this film, Air France is reaffirming its idea of travel: a special, evocative and...
Competitive Catalyst
IATA is emphasizing the need to focus on competitiveness as Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) moves forward with the building of a third runway and associated infrastructure. During a recent stop in Hong Kong, IATA's director general and CEO, Tony Tyler said that: “The announcement by the Financial Secretary in his budget speech that the third runway will be built by 2023 should be greeted by everyone in Hong Kong as encouraging news. We commend the government on this important decision and everyone associated with the project especially the Hong Kong Airport Authority and the...
Transat Rolls Out Three Year Plan
Transat A.T. Inc. posted revenues of $788.6 million for the quarter ended Jan. 31, 2015, compared with $847.2 million in 2014 -- a decrease of $58.6 million, or 6.9%. The company recorded an adjusted operating loss of $35.8 million, compared with $23.9 million in 2014; and a net loss attributable to shareholders of $64.3 million ($1.66 per share on a diluted basis), compared with $25.6 million ($0.67 per share on a diluted basis) in 2014. Before non-operating items, Transat reported an adjusted net loss of $32.4 million in 2015 ($0.84 per share), compared with $23.3 million ($0.60 per...