Airlines
Changing Situation
In this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press, executive editor, Bob Mowat reports that it's been a long time – cast your mind back to the 1990s – since Air Canada has paid travel agents for booking its products on the Global Distribution Systems (GDS). As of April 1 that will all change and agents across the country will be able to earn 4% commission on GDS bookings of Air Canada's Flex, Latitude, Business Class and Premium rouge fares. Web bookings of those same fares will also pay 4%. The changes come as part of a dramatic overhaul of Air Canada's Domestic Canada Cash...
AC Reports Record February Load Factor
For the month of February, Air Canada has reported a record system load factor of 81.1%, versus 79% in February 2014, on a system-wide capacity increase of 8.4%. On this additional capacity, system wide traffic for February increased a record 11.3% for the month. Air Canada reports traffic results on a system-wide basis, including regional airlines from which Air Canada purchases capacity and Air Canada rouge. “I am extremely pleased to report both a record load factor of 81.1% for the month of February, and more importantly a record traffic increase of 11.3% for the month,”...
AC Set to Launch Atlantic City Service
Air Canada is launching non-stop service between its Toronto Pearson hub and Atlantic City, NJ. The seasonal service, to be flown by Air Canada Express, operated by Jazz, will offer four return trips a week beginning May 22. “Air Canada is pleased to be adding Atlantic City to its already extensive US network. This new route will enable our customers to conveniently travel non-stop to Atlantic City where they can enjoy its famed boardwalk, beaches and casinos. It will also provide Atlantic City a direct connection to Air Canada's Toronto global hub. The flights will be...
WestJet 767 Service to Hawaii Available to Book
WestJet reports flights between Alberta and Hawaii beginning in December are now available for booking on its newly acquired Boeing 767 wide-body aircraft. The 767, the first in the WestJet fleet, will operate between Calgary and Honolulu, Calgary and Maui and between Edmonton and Maui. “Offering non-stop, wide-body service between Alberta and Hawaii represents an important next step in our international strategy,” said Chris Avery, WestJet vice-president, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. “This December, WestJet guests who choose the popular routes will...
Air Canada Poised To Pay Agents For GDS Bookings
Yesterday afternoon (Tues., March 3, 2015) Air Canada advised travel agents across Canada of some significant changes to its Domestic Cash Rewards plan that will see it eliminate the 7% reward it had been paying on Tango domestic web bookings, but introducing a 4% reward level on both web and GDS bookings of its Flex, Latitude, Business Class and Premium rouge fares. The changes go into effect on April 1, 2015. In a letter to agents, Air Canada's vice-president, global sales, Duncan Bureau wrote: “Today, we have announced the elimination of the 7% Cash Reward on Tango fares and...
WestJet Awarded AA Brand Rating
Brand Finance, one of the world's leading brand valuation consultancies, has once again ranked WestJet in the top 100 Canadian brands with a valuation of US$629 million as of Jan. 1. The airline's enterprise value, which is the combined market value of the equity and debt of a business less cash and cash equivalents, is pegged at more than US$3 billion. The announcement moves WestJet seven spots up the ranking from last year to 67. “We are pleased to see we are once again ranked as one of Canada's most-valued brands,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, Sales,...
Air Tahiti Nui to Replace Long Haul Fleet
Air Tahiti Nui will replace its entire long haul fleet with four new Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Delivery is expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2018, coinciding with the company’s 20th anniversary celebrations. Following the announcement, Air Tahiti Nui’s chairman, Michel Monvoisin commented, “We are very excited to partner with Boeing to deliver the very latest innovations in comfort and technology to our global customers. The new fleet investment will help future-proof travel to and from The Islands of Tahiti, and assist the acceleration in visitor growth.” The...
Air Transat Improves Fuel-Management Program
Air Transat is acquiring new fuel efficiency software. Developed by Swiss company Aviaso, the software will enable more accurate measurement of the impact of all the initiatives in the company’s fuel-management program. “We already have one of the best fuel-management programs in the industry,” says Jean-François Lemay, general manager, Air Transat. “Implementing this system developed by Aviaso gives us the means to improve our practices and further refine our program, with the goal of reducing fuel burn by another 1%.” Air Transat’s stringent management of aircraft...