Airlines
Transat posts Q1 results
Transat A.T. Inc. posted revenues of $805.7 million for the quarter ended Jan. 31, 2013, compared with $829.3 million in 2012 -- a decrease of $23.6 million, or 2.8%. It recorded an operating loss before amortization and depreciation of $21.0 million, compared with $31.8 million in 2012 and a net loss of $15.1 million ($0.39 per share on a diluted basis), compared with $29.5 million ($0.77 per share on a diluted basis) in 2012. Before non-operating items, Transat reported an adjusted after-tax loss of $21.6 million in 2013 ($0.56 per share on a diluted basis), compared with $29.9 million...
WestJet disappointed by AC pension fund ruling
WestJet has responded to the federal government's decision to extend Air Canada's pension funding arrangement. "While we recognize this has been a difficult decision for the government, we are disappointed with this announcement,"said WestJet president Gregg Saretsky. "We are supportive of a strong and competitive aviation industry in Canada. To that end, we trust this marks the end of special treatment for Air Canada as such treatment at the expense of other industry players has become too common. We look forward to working with the government to create a level playing field and an...
Travelport, AA put together new deal
Travelport and American Airlines have put together a new, long-term, global distribution deal. The new agreement, along with enabling continued access to shop and book the full content of flights marketed by American Airlines, also positions Travelport to become the first global distribution system to offer access to American's other products and services. After a period of technical integration, Travelport and American plan to use their industry-leading technology, including both Travelport's Universal API technology and American's XML-based direct connect interface, to deliver additional...
AC extends pension fund arrangements
Air Canada and the Government of Canada have agreed to an extension of Air Canada's pension funding arrangements to Jan. 30, 2021. After lengthy negotiations the initial Air Canada proposal was strengthened with additional required solvency payments, a shortened term and specific new conditions that will ensure that all employees and executives of Air Canada are part of the solution. This arrangement comes as a result of the upcoming expiration of the Air Canada Pension Plan Funding Regulations, 2009 on Jan. 30, 2014. In the current extremely low interest rate environment, Air Canada's...
Korean Air launches direct service to Sri Lanka
Korean Air has launched a direct service flying from Sri Lanka and the Maldives to Seoul Incheon, expanding its network to countries in the Indian Ocean. Korean Air's new three times weekly direct service flies from Male in the Maldives to Colombo in Sri Lanka first, and then on to Seoul/Incheon in Korea. The flights operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. The new route is operated with an Airbus 330-300, seating 276 passengers and equipped with Korean Air's premium seats. First Class has six Sleeper Seats -- the 180-degree full-flat beds with an 83-inch pitch and a 21-inch width....
WestJet Encore schedules first flights in AB, SK
WestJet has announced it will use its new fleet of Bombardier Q400 aircraft to enhance its schedule in Alberta and Saskatchewan starting this spring. Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie and Saskatoon will see an increase in the number of flights this summer. For instance, WestJet will extend services between Calgary and Grande Prairie from seasonal to year-round, adding one new daily flight in August. It will also increase the number of daily flights between Calgary and Edmonton from seven to nine by September. Both schedules will operate as WestJet Encore....
EgyptAir to launch Toronto service in June
EgyptAir will begin Toronto service June 3, with four weekly non-stop flights between the Ontario capital and Cairo. Flights will be on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Business class service will have full flat beds, while all classes will have personal screens. Call EgyptAir at 416-960-0009, ext. 21/24 or 514-875-9990, ext. 225/226/227. (http://www.egyptair.com ,...
Mokulele Airlines expands fleet
Hawaii's Mokulele Airlines has purchased two new Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft to keep up with the growing demand for its inter-island flights. "Our passenger loads have doubled in the year and a half since Transpac purchased Mokulele,"said Mokulele Airlines CEO Ron Hansen. "Since passenger demand is so great on all of our flights, we made the decision to purchase two additional Cessna Grand Caravans. We're currently offering about 80 flights per day and the new aircraft will make it possible for us to offer more than 100 flights per day between Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and the Big...