Airlines
WestJet Has Heart
WestJet has created another remarkable guest experience, this time for two love-struck, Toronto-area couples on the island of Barbados. The story begins in November 2014 in a Michael Hill jewelry store in Newmarket, Ont., where WestJet used hidden cameras to select two men, J.P. and Mike, from among those shopping for engagement rings that day. The airline approached the two and asked if they would be interested in proposing to their girlfriends, Stephanie and Heather, in Barbados. “Both J.P. and Mike agreed, but of course they couldn't tell Stephanie and Heather that's why they...
Spring Break Specials In Okanagan
Five Okanagan, BC ski resorts - Big White Ski Resort, Silver Star Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks Resort, Revelstoke Mountain Resort and Apex Mountain Resort – are working with NewLeaf Corp, a new Canadian travel company, to offer lower fares over Spring Break to Ontario travellers. 2015 has been a banner year for snowfall in the Kelowna/Okanagan, BC region. 2015 has also brought about an exciting new partnership for skiers looking for a world class family experience that is still available during this year's Spring Break season. Michael J. Ballingall, chairman of the Thompson Okanagan...
Destination Dubai
2015 is going to be a busy year for the gang at Emirates Airlines in Canada. Canadian Travel Press' executive editor, Bob Mowat reports that travel agents will be well-advised to keep an eye on the carrier as it rolls out some new twists to its flight plan over the next 12 months. Topping the list of what to watch for from the carrier in 2015 will be some aggressive promotion of Dubai as a stand-alone destination – rather than just a stopover – in the Canadian market. To do that, the carrier has teamed up with a number of new tour operator partners that will be packaging...
Etihad Posts Strong 2014 Results
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, carried a record number of passengers and cargo in 2014, marking its strongest operational performance to date. Almost 14.8 million passengers flew with Etihad Airways last year, a significant increase of 23% over 2013 levels. The growth in passenger demand continued to outstrip the airline’s capacity increase, highlighting the strength of its long-term growth strategy. In total, Etihad Airways carried more than 74% of the 19.9 million passengers who travelled through Abu Dhabi International Airport in 2014. With...
Flying High
IATA reports that global passenger traffic results for the full year of 2014 show demand (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 5.9% compared to the full year of 2013. This 2014 performance was above the 10-year average growth rate of 5.6% and the 5.2% annual growth experienced in 2013 compared to 2012. Capacity rose 5.6% last year, with the result that load factor climbed 0.2 percentage points to 79.7%. All regions saw demand grow in 2014. More than half of the growth in passenger travel occurred on airlines in emerging markets including Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. In...
More Options From Air Canada rouge
Air Canada will be launching new, year-round Air Canada rouge services between Hamilton and Calgary and seasonal service between Toronto Pearson and Abbotsford. The non-stop, daily flights will provide Canadian travelers more competitively-priced options when flying within Canada. Benjamin Smith, president of passenger airlines, Air Canada, commented: “Air Canada is very pleased to offer its customers additional options at compelling fares for travel in Canada. Located in the heart of the populous Golden Horseshoe of Southern Ontario, Hamilton is a convenient departure and arrival...
Air Canada Reports Strong January
Air Canada has reported a record system load factor of 80.1% for Jan. 2015 – compared to 80% in Jan.l 2014 – on a system-wide capacity increase of 8.3%. On this additional capacity, system wide traffic for January increased 8.4%. Air Canada reports traffic results on a system-wide basis, including regional airlines from which Air Canada purchases capacity and Air Canada rouge. Commenting on the results, Calin Rovinescu, president and CEO, said: "I am pleased to report a record load factor of 80.1% for the month of January. System wide, traffic grew 8.4% led by significant growth in...
Set Sail From Halifax Stanfield
Celebrity Cruises is launching inaugural flights from Halifax to Miami as part of an “all included” cruise vacation package. The flights will depart Halifax Stanfield beginning this Sat., Feb. 7, 2015, and continue weekly for the next nine weeks. Passengers will fly non-stop to Miami and then set sail on a seven night cruise aboard the Celebrity Reflection Canadian North will provide the non-stop flights from Halifax to Florida. Canadian North also operated from Halifax this past summer with service to Iqaluit. Joyce Carter, Halifax International Airport Authority president...