Airlines
Business Is Brisk
Air Canada Vacations (ACV) president Eamonn Ferrin is citing long-used counsel when advising agents on what to tell clients wanting to flee winter weather, reports Ian Stalker in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Ferrin told a Toronto gathering last week that booking patterns are shaped by many factors and “will always vary,” but his tour operator is enjoying brisk business for the latter half of December and that should be a caution for those who are hesitant when it comes to booking winter travel. “The key message... is book early to avoid disappointment...,”...
Porter Offers Vermont Ski, Snowboard Packages
Porter Airlines flights between Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport and Vermont's Burlington International Airport begin on Dec. 14, and travellers from Toronto can now purchase ski and snowboard packages through Porter Escapes. Five Vermont ski resorts have partnered with Porter to provide customers with an attractive winter getaway to the Green Mountain State. “Vermont ski and snowboard resorts benefit greatly from this renewed airline service,” said Parker Riehle, Ski Vermont president. “With up to four flights a week, enthusiastic skiers and riders in Toronto can now easily...
Strategic Enhancements
Air Canada has introduced strategic enhancements to its North American route network with the addition of new non-stop services from Calgary-Terrace; Calgary-Nanaimo; Vancouver-Comox; Toronto-Austin and Montreal-Mexico City. The airline is also increasing capacity on key domestic markets that have high volumes of leisure traffic with the expansion of Air Canada rouge to operate the airline's new seasonal Calgary-Halifax route and current Toronto-Kelowna and Toronto-Sydney, NS services. New services are now available for purchase at http://www.aircanada.com . “Air Canada continues...
IATA, Agents Collaborating On NDC Study
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and a Coalition of National Travel Agent Associations (The Group) are collaborating on a study to look at options that could benefit travel agents as the New Distribution Capability (NDC) XML standard is considered for implementation by airlines and technology providers. The study will be conducted by an independent consultant to be appointed jointly by The Group and IATA, who will undertake research and analysis in the following areas: Understanding the impact (e.g., from a business, technology and commercial perspective) of NDC...
A Committed Relationship
Top tourism officials from Barbados were on hand to host senior executives from Air Canada, the Air Canada Leisure Group and Air Canada Vacations at an event in Toronto this week that celebrated a remarkable relationship – one that has seen Air Canada bringing Canadians to Barbados for 65 years. Back on Dec. 2, 1949, Trans Canada Airlines (TCA) – as Air Canada was known then – departed from Toronto's Malton Airport, bringing Canadians on their first journey to Barbados. The flight aboard the “North Star” took 15 hours – with stops in the Bahamas and Jamaica – before...
Air Canada to Launch Non-Stop Service to Dubai
Air Canada will launch non-stop service between Toronto and Dubai beginning in November 2015. The new route will extend the airline's international network farther into the Middle East at a time of increased travel between North America and the region. “Air Canada's international growth strategy continues to accelerate with the addition of the seventh new international destination to our global network announced in the past year. The three-times-weekly Dubai service will be Air Canada's first non-stop flight to the UAE at a time when air travel between North America and the region...
Business Travel on Path for 8% Growth
Canadian business travel is expected to rise by 8% in 2015, according to Vision Travel Solutions. “Canadians are among the most prolific business travellers in the world. We are confident business travel will grow 8% overall in Canada next year, as we've already seen our corporate travel business grow 10% in 2014,” says Brian Robertson, COO of Vision Travel Solutions. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) supports Vision Travel's forecast. “This forecasted growth in Canada is aligned with the global opportunity. Business travel in Canada continues to be robust,...
Porter Resumes Tremblant Service
Porter Airlines has resumed seasonal service between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Mont Tremblant. Snow-seekers arriving on a Sunday or Monday can catch a lift with a special offer – free lift tickets and one-way, all inclusive fares from $134 until Jan. 8, 2015 for travel by Feb. 26, 2015. Flights began Friday (Dec. 5) and continue until April 6, 2015. Up to 13 weekly flights are available during the peak schedule. With Porter Escapes (http://www.porterescapes.com) travellers can combine flights and accommodation with activities, lift tickets and equipment rentals....