Airlines
WestJet Welcomes Transportation Act Review
WestJet welcomes this week’s announcement by Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, beginning the review of the Canada Transportation Act. The Canada Transportation Act review will provide the opportunity to examine a wide variety of public policy issues impacting the Canadian airline sector. “We are very pleased the review will take a hard look at the cost competitiveness of the sector,” commented Gregg Saretsky, WestJet president and CEO. “As chair of the review panel, David Emerson will bring a wealth of public and private sector experience to the role and, on behalf of the...
WestJet Encore Celebrates First Anniversary
WestJet Encore celebrated its first birthday this week (June 24), just days before eastern operations launch with flights between Thunder Bay, Ont. and Toronto. According to officials, the regional airline, which took to the skies June 24, 2013, has enjoyed tremendous support from the “many communities that now have regular air service, and the many more that now boast better schedules, more frequency, and more options with respect to carriers and destinations.” “Communities across Canada have welcomed us with open arms, and we have tried to repay their loyalty with a...
WestJet Bets on Fort McMurray
WestJet has launched new non-stop, twice-weekly service between Las Vegas and Fort McMurray, Alberta. “Fort McMurray and WestJet have been partners for the past 13 years, and this year offers the most significant growth to our schedule out of Fort McMurray ever,” said Chris Avery, WestJet vice-president, Network and Schedule Planning. “We are committed to continually improving choice and connectivity for guests flying out of Fort McMurray, and the 2014 summer schedule reflects this commitment. We are offering non-stop daily flights to Kelowna, Vancouver and Toronto, three times...
AC Opens Maple Leaf Lounge at New Heathrow Terminal 2
Air Canada has opened its latest International Maple Leaf Lounge at London Heathrow Airport’s new Terminal 2, also known as The Queen’s Terminal, Departures Area 2B. Located at Star Alliance’s largest airport hub and Air Canada’s largest international station, Air Canada’s London Heathrow Maple Leaf Lounge is a “serene, stylish oasis where eligible Air Canada and Star Alliance customers can rest, refuel or refresh before their flight in an inspiring, contemporary environment that is a celebration of Canadian design, artistry and craftsmanship.” Designed by Bennett Lo...
Jet Airways Upgrades Toronto-Brussels Flight
India’s Jet Airways is set to deploy its long haul new Boeing 777-300 aircraft on the Toronto - Brussels - Toronto route. The wide body Boeing 777-300, with its three class configuration, including the airline’s world renowned First Class service, will significantly enrich the inflight experience of Jet Airways’ guests. The airline currently operates Airbus 330-300 aircraft on this route, which was introduced on this sector in February. Effective July 1, Jet Airways will upgrade from an Airbus A300-300 to a Boeing 777-300 service six times a week following an increased demand...
Air India Gets Star Alliance Clearance
At its Chief Executive Board meeting held in London on June 23, the CEOs of the Star Alliance network unanimously approved the membership of Air India, clearing the way for the national carrier to become the first Indian airline to join a global airline alliance. The integration teams at Air India, Star Alliance and its member carriers will now complete the last necessary work in order to ensure that Air India can offer all Star Alliance customer benefits from July 11 onwards. Commenting on the decision, Jeffrey Goh, Star Alliance COO said, “We restarted the re-integration with...
Chaos in Europe as French Air Traffic Controllers Strike
Airline passengers across Europe could face hours of delays and cancellations over the next week as a six-day French air traffic control strike begins today (June 24). Airlines have been forced to cancel dozens of flights and warned of potential delays to all flights crossing French airspace. British Airways has cancelled 90 flights today because of the planned strike. Ryanair said it has cancelled 26 flights to and from France today, while Easy Jet said 28 flights had been cancelled. Airline officials said day by day decisions will be made on the need for additional...
Air France Appointment
Jean-Noël Rault will become the new vice-president and general manager of Air France KLM Canada effective July 1, succeeding Fabien Pelous, who took over the position in October 2011. Presently the director of the Customer Contact Center, Web support and social media servicing in Paris, Rault joined Air France in 1989. Over the years, his career has taken him to various destinations -- Constantine, Bucharest, Prague, Riyadh, Noumea and Abidjan -- where he has held various positions such as deputy station manager, station manager, commercial director, country manager and general...