Airlines
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....
Air Canada Crew Give the ‘Gift of Home’
On Nov. 27, two Air Canada pilots along with AC crew members walked into the Maple Leaf Pub in London, England and surprised the Canadians living in London by giving away a “round” – as in roundtrip tickets back to Canada for the holidays. An Air Canada #ACgiftofhome video captures the entire experience with unsuspecting Canadians out for a night of cheer. The video launched Dec. 3 and has more than 640,000 views so far. To see the video, go...
Sunwing Airlines Finalizes Aircraft Leasing Contract
Sunwing Airlines reports a deal worth $350 million has been finalized with Air Lease Corporation to supply the carrier with two Boeing 737-800 and four 737 MAX 8 aircraft over a four-year period commencing in early 2016. The deal represents the largest single financial investment that the company has ever made to increase and upgrade its airplanes; once delivery has been taken the airline's fleet will number 22 year round aircraft. Sunwing Airlines recently became the second carrier in the world to commercially fly with Blended Winglets on its 737-800s after retrofitting its entire...
Air Canada Adding Non-Stop Delhi Service
Air Canada will begin non-stop service from Toronto to Delhi beginning in November 2015. The new route, the first to be dedicated for Air Canada's Boeing 787-9 series aircraft, will open new opportunities in the Indian subcontinent, currently the largest international market not served by Air Canada. “Air Canada's strategy to grow its Toronto Pearson hub and international presence is taking a major step forward with the addition of Delhi to our extensive global network. We will be offering the only non-stop flight from Canada to India using our newest Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which...
Passenger Traffic Maintains Strong Growth
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports global passenger traffic results for October showing a strengthening in demand growth compared to September 2014 and to the year-ago period. Total revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) rose 5.7% over October 2013, slightly ahead of the 5.2% year-on-year rise recorded in September 2014. October capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 5.5%, causing load factor to rise 0.1 percentage points to 79.1%. “Against a backdrop of economic weakness in some regions, October traffic results show demand for connectivity...
WestJet Celebrates the Spirit of Giving
WestJet is celebrating the release of its third annual holiday video, “WestJet Christmas Miracle: Spirit of Giving,” showing how WestJet and its now-famous Blue Santa brought a snowy Canadian Christmas to a community in the Dominican Republic. Since 2012, WestJet and Live Different – a Canadian charity that works with volunteers on development projects abroad – have built 23 homes for families living in extreme poverty in the Puerto Plata community of Nuevo Renacer, one of four destinations WestJet serves in the Dominican Republic. The airline's history with and commitment to...