Airlines
Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad
Air Canada commented on the proposed increase in aviation excise fuel taxes in the Ontario budget, as well as the decision by Ontario Opposition parties to defeat the government's proposed budget. Calin Rovinescu, president and CEO of Air Canada, said: "As one of the largest private sector employers in the province of Ontario, I can say that the proposed increase to aviation fuel taxes is bad for our industry, bad for our employees, bad for our customers and ultimately bad for the economy of Ontario." Rovinescu argued that: "Ontario will continue to lose business to U.S. border...
Sunquest Adds Seven
Sunquest has added 7 new routes for the winter 2014-2015 season and all of them are now available in its system and ready to book for travel starting November 2014 onwards. Among these new routes is a brand new service out of Fort McMurray, Alberta, along with expanded service out of existing gateways. Here is the full list of new routes, frequency of service and airline: Fort McMurray to Las Vegas (daily -- WestJet/Air Canada) Regina to Montego Bay (daily -- WestJet/Air Canada) Saskatoon to Montego Bay (daily -- WestJet/Air Canada) Quebec City to Punta Cana (daily --...
Shock And Disappointment
IATA expressed shock and disappointment over the Ontario government's proposal to more than double the province's aviation fuel tax. That tax already costs Ontario travellers and shippers over $60 million annually. When fully implemented, the increase from 2.7 cents per litre to 6.7 cents per litre will add more than C$100 million per year to the cost of air transport in the province. Tony Tyler, IATA director general and CEO, said: "At a time when the government is proposing to spend some $2.5 billion to attract businesses to Ontario, why make air connectivity more expensive?...
Lufthansa Ready For The Future
Christoph Franz is stepping down as the CEO and chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, but he's leaving the post as the carrier posts an operating profit of EUR 697m in the books for 2013. Adjusted for non-recurring items from the realignment of several corporate divisions, profit totals more than EUR 1bn. Compared with the adjusted prior-year figure, the operating profit for 2013 increased by 62%. The Group managed to achieve stable revenue of EUR 30.0bn despite a lower number of flights. Net profit for the Group was EUR 313m. All of the business segments were...
Fears For Tiers
Close to one-third (32%) of U.S. and Canadian consumers can't identify which tier they belong to in their favourite loyalty rewards programs, according to a newly released study by COLLOQUY. The stunning lack of awareness of basic tier status is a key finding in "Fears for Tiers: 2014 COLLOQUY Study on Membership Status In Loyalty Programs." Study findings are based on a February 2014 survey of 3,077 U.S. and Canadian consumers. COLLOQUY's research reveals that the familiar gold, silver and bronze tier system no longer works; showing that the three-tiered structure is outdated as a...
Sabre Now Selling Etihad Ancillaries
Sabre Corporation is now selling Etihad's Extra Legroom Seating and pre-paid bags in the Sabre global distribution system. Shelly Terry, vice president of Supplier Merchandising for Sabre Travel Network, said the sale of ancillaries, such as pre-reserved seats continue to be a valuable revenue stream for airlines and provides travellers with more choices for their flight experience. "Sabre has been investing in technology to support airlines' merchandising strategies for many years," Terry said. "The Sabre travel marketplace provides an invaluable platform for airlines to market and...
Mayday, Mayday!
Usually Canada's tourism types can find something positive in just about anything relating to the tourism business. It's a positive industry. It makes dreams come true. Of course, then there's Ontario's May 1, 2014 budget. Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) president and CEO, David Goldstein doesn't pull any punches as to the industry's reaction to the 2014-2015 budget: "Canada's travel and tourism industry couldn't be more disappointed and urge the Ontario Government to reconsider its short-sighted decision to increase the aviation fuel surcharge by 150%." And...
Hooray For TA’s
WestJet has launched its travel agent appreciation month to recognize and thank its valued travel agent partners across the country. Travel agents make more than 40% of air bookings and more than half of WestJet Vacations' reservations. Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, sales, marketing and guest experience, said: "Travel agents and the many partner agencies we work with have been behind us from the day we took off 18 years ago, and we want them to know how much we value this critical relationship." Cummings observed: "We continue to grow and evolve our brand to...