Airlines
ACTA Slams Proposed Aviation Fuel Tax Increase
ACTA has come out against a proposed Ontario government proposal to increase the tax rate on aviation fuel by one cent per litre each year for four years, effective the day after the amendment receives Royal Assent. Subsequent rate increases of one cent per litre in 2015, 2016 and 2017 would be effective April 1 of each respective year. Upon full implementation, the tax rate would be 6.7 cents per litre. "This increase in fuel tax has a direct negative impact to the travel and tourism sector and we must show our distaste and make it clear that we are serious about this issue and that...
Air Canada Named Best Airline in North America
Air Canada has been named Best Airline in North America in the Skytrax 2014 World Airline Awards at the Farnborough International Airshow. It is the fifth consecutive year Air Canada has been recognized as the best airline in North America and among the leading carriers of the world. The annual poll, based on surveys of nearly 19 million global passengers, is regarded as a key benchmarking tool for product excellence and customer satisfaction by the global airline industry. "We are extremely pleased that the Skytrax World Airline Awards have recognized Air Canada as the Best Airline...
Proposed Jet Fuel Tax Hike Called a ‘Travesty’
A proposed four-cent per litre hike in jet fuel taxes by the Ontario government has industry personnel up in arms – saying it will only lead to increased fares. In the latest provincial budget, the Ontario government is proposing a four cents per litre hike, phased in over four years, effective once amendments to legislation are approved later this year. Airlines currently pay four cents a litre in federal fuel tax for domestic flights, and depending on the province, may pay additional taxes on fuel used for both international and domestic travel. Marc-André O’Rourke,...
Air India Joins Star Alliance
Star Alliance has welcomed Air India as a full member of its global family of airlines, opening the national carrier’s strong domestic network in the fifth largest aviation market to Star Alliance customers worldwide. Air India now offers all Star Alliance customer benefits across its network and Air India’s customers enjoy the same benefits when they travel on any of the other 26 Star Alliance member airlines. This is an important day for us. We have said for many years that we needed a strong home carrier in the Indian market and by welcoming Air India to our Star Alliance family,...
AC Expands Curaçao Service
Air Canada is introducing new non-stop service from Montreal to Curaçao starting Jan. 1, 2015, as well as extending its seasonal flights between Toronto and the Caribbean island to year-round service. The Montreal-Curaçao flight will operate weekly, flying every Thursday. The Air Canada route between Toronto and Curaçao will operate year-round, flying every Friday, starting Nov....
Air Transat Offers Free On-Demand Entertainment
Transat is now offering passengers free on-demand entertainment on all its European flights, and on most of its flights to Sun destinations. “We continue to invest in its fleet in order to provide passengers with the best possible in-flight experience in the country. After equipping our Airbus A330s with individual touch screens, we are pleased to offers passengers travelling on our Airbus A310s access to onboard individual entertainment through their own personal tablets, smart phones – iOS and Android – and laptops,” said Jean-François Lemay, general manager of Air Transat. The...
Korean Air Boosts China Service
Korean Air is adding more than a dozen weekly flights to China. In addition to more flights, Korean Air is improving its schedule from Beijing to its Incheon hub, offering new early morning departures with same-day connections to the central and eastern regions of North America. The airline also has increased service between Incheon and Guangzhou, adding three weekly flights to that city. In all, Korean Air is increasing flights to six Chinese cities and adding 15 more flights to China each week. “We've said we're bullish on the Americas and our actions are speaking loud and clear,”...
Sunwing Off to Playa Blanca
Beginning Aug. 1, Sunwing Airlines will offer year-round direct flights from Toronto to the Playa Blanca Airport (also known as Scarlett Martinez International Airport) in Panama. This winter, Sunwing will also introduce flights to Playa Blanca Airport from several Quebec gateways, including Montreal starting in November, Quebec City starting in December, and Bagotville starting February 2015. “The Playa Blanca region is a popular destination with Sunwing travellers and these direct flights will dramatically improve our passengers' vacation experience,” said Andrew Dawson, COO...