Airlines
An NDC First
Amadeus and United Airlines have launched Amadeus’ Airline Ancillary Services Solution using NDC-XML (v1.0) connectivity, marking the first NDC-XML solution in the travel agency channel in North America. United’s vice-president of merchandizing and eCommerce, Scott Wilson said: “We are excited to be working with Amadeus to merchandize our Economy Plus extra-legroom seats via our travel agency partners. NDC-XML connectivity allows us to use a next-generation industry standard to effectively merchandize our portfolio of products and services to our customers.” Amadeus’...
Accentuating The Positive
Air Canada is making no secret of the fact that it wants to be a “global champion” in aviation and it's also making no secret of the fact that it wants to do a better job telling its story – a story that has a lot of positive elements in the narrative, reports Bob Mowat in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. “We have a global brand. We have a network or fleet that can touch anywhere on the planet,” Duncan Bureau, VP global sales for Air Canada told Travel Courier. “And we believe that with this 787 fleet it certainly is a game changer. And we believe that we...
Rule Fix Victory
According to ASTA, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is to be applauded for taking a common sense approach to the way travel sellers communicate information about hazardous materials to the flying public. The industry association pointed out that in the Hazardous Materials Harmonization Rulemaking that was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 25, PHMSA had proposed revising its hazardous materials rule [49 CFR 175.25(b)] for telephone and in-person reservations that requires travel sellers, effective Jan. 1,...
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,...