Airlines
Air Travel Demand Stays Strong in May
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports global passenger traffic results for May showing demand growth of 6.2% compared to May 2013. While this represented a deceleration compared to April year-over-year traffic growth of 7.6%, the performance is indicative of improving demand drivers. May capacity rose 5.2% and load factor climbed 0.7 percentage points to 79. All regions except Africa experienced positive traffic growth. “We are seeing healthy demand for air traffic to support and help sustain the pick-up in global economic activity,” said Tony Tyler,...
Soak Up The Summer with WestJet
This month, agents helping clients plan their summer vacation could end up walking away with one of their won with WestJet’s “Soak Up The Summer” contest. To enter, simply submit all flight and vacation package bookings made to any Canadian or US WestJet destination between July 2 and 31 for travel by Sept. 30. You will earn one ballot for every round-trip flight booked on any scheduled WestJet flight and five ballots for every WestJet Vacations package booked. All ballots will be entered for a chance to win one of 24 prize giveaways for flights or WestJet dollars. Ballots...
Air Canada Sets Single Day Record
Air Canada achieved a single-day record for passengers carried June 27, with nearly 138,000 customers boarding its aircraft around the world. “The peak summer season is underway and heading into the Canada Day weekend we expect to carry nearly 138,000 customers today. To put this in context, it is equivalent to transporting in a single day the population of an entire mid-size Canadian city such as Abbotsford, BC, St. Catharines, Ont., or Levis, Que.," said Klaus Goersch, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Air...
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...