Airlines
WESTJET ORDERS 65 737 MAX AIRCRAFT
WestJet has entered into a definitive purchase agreement for 65 737 MAX aircraft from Boeing. This order was previously announced on Aug. 29 as a letter of intent to purchase. The purchase agreement includes commitments for 25 MAX 7 and 40 MAX 8 aircraft with substitution rights to the 737 MAX 9, with deliveries scheduled from 2017 through 2027. As previously announced, the airline will substitute 15 of its existing Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft orders currently scheduled to deliver between December 2014 and 2018, with Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, for a net increase of 50 committed...
ENHANCING AVIATION SAFETY
Transport Canada and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have reached an arrangement to strengthen the safety net around international air travel. Under the arrangement, Transport Canada and EASA will conduct common inspections of foreign commercial aircraft operating within their jurisdictions and share information on inspections. Inspections are conducted to make sure airlines are complying with safety regulations. As a result, Canada will have an effective means of learning about the compliance record of international airlines based on the results of inspections conducted by...
GOURMET AIR FRANCE
Acclaimed French chef Thibaut Ruggeri, winner of the Bocuse d’or 2013, is creating gourmet dishes for Air France customers in the business lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. For a six-month period starting Oct.1, the chef will create five dishes for business class customers on long-haul flights. Ruggeri is being accompanied by Olivier Poussier, named the world’s best sommelier in 2000, who will present a selection of wines he has personally matched to Ruggeri’s cuisine. A dish signed by Ruggeri will be one of four main dishes on the menu on flights leaving from Paris. The...
PROFITS UP, BUT SLOWER PACE EXPECTED: IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) revised its 2013 global industry outlook downwards to $11.7 billion on revenues of $708 billion. Airline performance continued to improve in the second quarter, however at a slower pace than was expected with the previous projection (in June) of $12.7 billion. This reflects the impact on demand of the oil price spike associated with the Syrian crisis and disappointing growth in several key emerging markets. Performance in 2013 is considerably better than the $7.4 billion net profit of 2012. The upward trend should continue into 2014 when...
UNITED ‘FLYER-FRIENDLY’
United Airlines has debuted a new brand campaign, featuring the iconic “Fly the Friendly Skies” tagline, reinterpreted for today’s travellers. The new campaign, United’s biggest in more than a decade, is based on feedback from customers that “user-friendly” today means the combination of service, technology and product enhancements. United has designed its investments in its global route network, new aircraft, onboard features, customer service and digital channels to be “flyer-friendly.” The new television commercials and print ads are available at...
DARWIN ADDS ROUTES
Darwin Airline and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport have announced new routes operated by the Swiss carrier from Amsterdam to Leipzig/Halle, Germany, and Cambridge, England. The Amsterdam-Cambridge route sees Darwin Airline offer 24 weekly flights between the cities, using Saab 2000 turbo propeller planes with 50 seats. The distance between aircraft seats is 81 cm. The promotional fare starts at €186 p.p, round trip. For the Amsterdam—Leipzig route the company has 24 weekly flights as well, with an inauguration fare starting at €193 p.p., round trip. Darwin Airline also serves...
CANADIAN CARRIERS FACING TURBULENCE
A growing reluctance by consumers to spend on air travel means Canadian air carriers are facing declines in both industry profits and profit margins this year, according to The Conference Board of Canada’s Industrial Outlook: Canada’s Air Transportation Industry-Summer 2013. “The industry is going through a period of slow growth in passengers, a direct result of a slowdown in consumer spending. That said, revenues will still grow by 5% this year, thanks largely to fare increases,” said economist Kristelle Audet (pictured). Airfares are expected to grow by 3.6% in 2013, but...
AIR CANADA EXECUTIVE REALIGNMENT
Air Canada has announced the appointment of Kevin Howlett (pictured, left in photo), currently senior vice-president, Employee Relations, to the new position of senior vice-president, Regional Markets with overall responsibility for the strategic direction of Air Canada’s regional operations and the relationship with current and future regional carriers operating on its behalf. “I am pleased to announce Kevin’s appointment to this new role,” said Air Canada president Calin Rovinescu (right in photo). “His proven strategic and relationship management skills as well as his...