Airlines
WestJet Confirms Rumour of Hijacking False
WestJet confirmed that a rumour that WestJet flight 2154 from Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, was hijacked Saturday is completely false. The rumour stemmed from a tweet by a flight-tracking web site that the aircraft operating the flight was transmitting a hijack code via its transponders. However, WestJet has no evidence that such a code was ever transmitted. Both the flight crew and local air traffic control confirmed that no such code was ever sent or received, and testing on the aircraft's transponder showed it was functionally normally. The aircraft arrived in Puerto...
Healthy Passenger Demand Continues
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports global passenger traffic results for November 2014 showing a continuation of the healthy demand trend of recent months. Total revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) rose 6% compared to November 2013, which was ahead of the 5.7% year-over-year growth recorded in October, as well as the 10-year average growth rate of 5.6%. November capacity expanded by 5.4%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point rise in the load factor to 76.7%. Growth was driven primarily by domestic markets which experienced a 6.9% increase in demand over the...
WestJet Makes Top 10 Safety List
AirlineRatings.com, an online safety and product rating web site, has announced its top 10 safest airlines and top 10 safest low cost airlines – which includes Canada's WestJet – for 2015 from the 449 airlines it monitors. Top of the list again is Qantas, which has a fatality free record in the jet era. Making up the remainder of the top 10 in alphabetical order are Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airways, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. AirlineRatings.com’s rating system takes into account a range of factors...
EgyptAir Picks Sabre for Transformation Project
EgyptAir has signed an agreement with Sabre that will see it helping to develop and implement a transformation program for EgyptAir Airlines and Express. The government-owned Star Alliance carrier is embarking on a comprehensive transformation strategy to increase revenues, improve efficiencies and explore new revenue streams by June 2016. Captain Sameh El-Hefny, chairman and CEO of EgyptAir Holding Co. said, “This agreement is a part of EgyptAir’s transformation plan, dedicated to transforming the business, financial and operational structure of both EgyptAir Airlines and...
Sunwing Adds Second Flight From Hamilton
Sunwing Vacations is making it easier for residents of Hamilton, Ont. to reach the Dominican Republic with the introduction of a new direct flight from Hamilton to Punta Cana. The new route, which began Dec. 19, is the second one to be offered by the tour operator, who commenced operations from the airport last year with a direct service to Varadero, Cuba. Customers on the new service can also be amongst the first to experience Sunwing's new and exclusive, adults-only resort, CHIC Punta Cana. Opened just last week, this beachfront property promises first rate amenities and a...
WestJet Pilots Approve Four-Year Contract
WestJet pilots have voted in favour of a new contract agreement. Included in the new contract are enhancements to pay and scheduling that officials say place WestJet's 1,250 pilots among the highest paid in the Canadian industry while preserving industry-leading productivity. “We thank our pilots for their professionalism and the outstanding service they provided our guests every day as we worked toward this new agreement over the past 24 months,” said Fred Cleveland, WestJet's executive vice-president of operations. The previous agreement expired on April 30, 2013, and the...
AC rouge Debuts Vancouver-Palm Springs Service
Air Canada rouge launched new non-stop service between Vancouver and Palm Springs last week. This seasonal service operates up to six times weekly on an Airbus A319 aircraft with 136 seats offering three choices of seating comfort. Service is timed to connect conveniently across Air Canada's domestic network within BC and Alberta and across Canada. Customers on the inaugural Dec. 18 flight from Vancouver enjoyed a celebration including music, golf-themed treats and a golf simulation in the boarding...
VIA On Track With Hainan Airlines
VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) has signed a partnership with Hainan Airlines, the first to be concluded with a company based in China. As well, for the first time, this partnership will allow an airline company to sell VIA Rail tickets. Hainan Airlines’ ticket offices and other travel agencies will be able to combine air and rail segments and issue a single electronic ticket with boarding passes for both the flight and train segments. Hainan Airlines passengers from China planning train travel in Canada will benefit from the convenience of booking all legs of their journey at once. And...