Airlines
The Future Of Comfort
A newly released study forecasts that by 2032, the Asia region will account for 45% of global passengers; as well as making them the dominant air travellers of the 21st century shaping the future economy class experience. The "Future of Comfort: Asia" study was published by Airbus -- conducted by Future Laboratory -- and it looks at the comfort demands of Asian economy class passengers, revealing new insights into the evolving demands of tomorrow's increasingly influential Asian air passengers. The research also reveals two emerging typologies of Asian travellers who, due to the...
Open To The World
Greater Moncton International Airport reports that once again in 2013, it saw "healthy increases" in its passenger traffic. In 2013, the number of passengers at the airport rose to 647,682, a 5.3% increase over 2012 (615,085) and a nearly 12% increase over 2011 (579,329). These customers flew on the GMIA's main airline partners, including Air Canada Express, the airline offering the most frequency from Greater Moncton, as well as Porter, WestJet and United. A significant increase was also noticed coming from chartered aircraft (Flair and Canadian North) transporting mobile workers...
Selling Ability
Travelport and United Airlines have announced that Travelport-connected agents in the U.S. can now sell United Economy Plus extra-legroom seating. With the announcement, Travelport becomes the first global distribution system (GDS) to re-launch the capability for travel agents to sell the additional space and comfort of Economy Plus while maintaining the processing efficiency of GDS bookings. In addition, Travelport-connected agents in the U.S. now have the ability to access Economy Plus seat availability and prices within the agent workflow, as well as book complimentary Economy Plus...
Quite An Achievement
Air Canada has reported record full year earnings -- before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment, and aircraft rent (EBITDAR) -- of $1.433 billion (or $1.515 billion including the impact of benefit plan amendments) compared to EBITDAR of $1.320 billion (or $1.447 billion including the impact of benefit plan amendments) in 2012, an increase of $113 million (or $68 million including the impact of benefit plan amendments). Operating income of $619 million increased $177 million from 2012. On a GAAP basis, in 2013, net income was $10 million or $0.02 per diluted share...
Interlining To Israel
A new interline agreement between Porter Airlines and EL AL Israel Airlines will provide new options for travel between Canada and Israel. The new deal takes advantage of the airlines' joint operations at Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal B as a connecting point between Tel Aviv and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Numerous additional Canadian destinations are accessible via Toronto City. Itineraries can be purchased immediately through EL AL at http://www.elal.co.il , by calling 1-800-223-6700, or contacting your travel agent. Travellers can check baggage through to their...
Partnering For The Future
IATA continues to emphasize the importance of industry and government working together as the industry enters the second century of commercial aviation. In his keynote address at the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit, IATA's director general and CEO, Tony Tyler said: "The most salient lesson of commercial aviation's first century is the value of partnerships. Through partnership, industry and government made flying the safest way to travel. This is a good guide as we look ahead to aviation's next century. No matter what the challenge, solutions built in partnership between...
Improved Control
A new passport control system at DFW International Airport is "significantly reducing" wait times for US and Canadian citizens who arrive from their international travel at the airport. The 30 Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks that the airport has introduced have helped to alleviate lines by allowing returning travellers to enter their own passport information on touch-screens and register their return to the country electronically. Sean Donohue, chief executive officer at DFW Airport, said: "The Automated Passport Control system is a simple and efficient way for U.S. and...
Now Wait Just A Minute
The American Anti-Trust Institute (AAI) -- joined by several consumer groups, including AirlinePassengers.org, Association for Airline Passenger Rights, Business Travel Coalition, Consumer Travel Alliance, and FlyersRights.org -- has filed comments with the Department of Justice (DOJ) arguing that the DOJ's settlement of its case against the merger of U.S. Airways and American Airlines is not in the public interest, and urging DOJ to renegotiate or take the case to trial. After joining with six states in seeking to enjoin the merger, the government settled the case in Nov. 2013,...