Airlines
Opportunity Knocks
In this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press, executive editor, Bob Mowat reports that Duncan Bureau made it abundantly clear that Air Canada is no longer willing to give up business in areas where, in the past, it has done just that. Bureau, AC's vice-president, global sales, said bluntly, “I think we've conceded business in areas where, quite frankly, we're not prepared to do that any more. So we are going to be aggressive. We are going to win back the hearts and minds of our customers and our partners and our employees.” Asked for an example, Bureau told Canadian...
They’re Back!
That didn't take long. American Airlines' fare are back on Orbitz after the two companies entered into a letter of intent. The American Airlines Group also didn't remove US Airways fares from Orbitz as it had said it was going to do. The companies are now working toward final agreements based on the letter of intent. All tickets previously purchased through Orbitz and other Orbitz-powered web sites remain valid for travel. Customers who want to change reservations bought through Orbitz should call Orbitz to make those changes. Sam Fulton, president of Orbitz.com, commented: “We...
Exploring Its Options
Late last week, Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. (PAHI) said it was exploring a sale-leaseback of its passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA). The terminal is operated by City Centre Terminal Corp., a PAHI subsidiary. In its announcement, PAHI said that if completed, the transaction would allow PAHI to focus on its core airline business through Porter Airlines Inc. (Porter). Porter will continue to be based at BBTCA with no change to its airline operations. Proceeds from the sale will allow for continued investment in the airline's growth. Robert Deluce,...
End Of Summer Deals To OZ
There’s still time to catch special pricing to Australia with Air New Zealand, in an end-of-summer partnership campaign by the airline and Tourism Australia. Between them, they are offering a fare of $1,578 to any one of six cities in Australia from Vancouver, via Air New Zealand’s hub in Auckland. The campaign pricing is available until Sept. 2. Buyers get their choice of six cities in Oz -- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide and Coolangatta/The Gold Coast from the Canadian gateway of Vancouver. Air NZ is a Star Alliance partner, easing Canadian connections and baggage...
AC Picks Smith For New Post
Air Canada has named Benjamin Smith to the new role of president, passenger airlines. He was previously executive vice-president and chief commercial officer. The move is part of AC's organizational re-alignment that takes effect on Sept. 1, 2014. In addition to his current responsibilities, Smith will now have cost as well as revenue oversight for passenger airline activities, with a view to optimizing the operating profitability of Air Canada, consistent with organizational structures at other large U.S. and European airlines. Smith continues to report to AC's president and CEO,...
Air Canada Hosts The Trade
Air Canada hosted a selected group of travel trade types in Toronto last night (Aug. 27, 2014) to thank them for their support and to encourage them to continue to sell the airline's products. On hand for the event were some top AC executives that included its vice-president, global sales, Duncan Bureau; newly appointed senior director Canadian sales, Virgilio Russi; vice-president, marketing, Craig Landry; vice-president revenue management & international sales, Lucie Guillemette; vice-president, alliances & regulatory affairs, Yves Dufresne; and vice-president, corporate...
Etihad Enhances A380, 787 Dreamliner Service
Etihad Airways has reaffirmed its commitment to start Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operations in December, with additional flights on sale this week for both aircraft and an extensive pilot training program now underway. During its first year of operations, the Airbus A380 will be deployed on Etihad's three daily flights between Abu Dhabi and London, together with selected flights to Sydney, which has been confirmed as the second destination to be served by the aircraft. Between December and June 2015, the Boeing 787-9 will be introduced on six of the airline’s routes,...
Prepare for take off
In this week's digital edition of Travel Courier, staff writer Ian Stalker reports that the Sunwing Travel Group says it doesn't expect any rush by this country's tour operators to send people south from US airports following its announcement that Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations will have offer service from Buffalo, NY, to both Punta Cana and Cancun this winter. The tour operator announced recently that it will have service from Buffalo to Cancun from Jan. 17 to May 9, and to Punta Cana from Feb. 14 to May 9. The development comes following years of complaints from airlines...