Airlines
WestJet sets single-day traffic record
WestJet reports it will fly 57,464 guests today (Dec.21), setting a new single-day record for guests travelling with the airline. "Whether our guests are travelling home to see friends and family or taking advantage of a great vacation package to the sun, we're pleased to welcome them on board today,"said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, sales, marketing and guest experience. "In a year filled with important milestones, a record-setting day is a testament to the work of WestJetters across our...
French carriers ease travel at Orly Airport
France's Aigle Azur and Corsair International have reached an understanding allowing them to attune their mutual networks in order to ease travel at the Paris` Orly Airport. Aigle Azur and Corsair will be able to take advantage of their geographical expansion, thanks to a cross selling of plane tickets among their respective customers. New opportunities will benefit customers of the two companies who do not live in Paris, as the networks of the two airlines match perfectly: Corsair is a long-haul airline, flying mostly to the Antilles, Canada, Western Africa and the Indian Ocean, while Aigle...
Emirates launches first flight to Phuket
Emirates has launched its first commercial flight to southern Thailand from Dubai with the launch of non-stop, daily service to Phuket. Phuket has become the airline's 128th destination and the service will significantly boost the city's international flight capacity and connect it to Emirates' ever-growing global network across six continents. From Toronto, travellers can fly to Phuket via EK242, departing Toronto Pearson International Airport Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 21:40 hrs, arriving Dubai at 19:20hrs (plus one day). This flight connects with EK 378, departing Dubai the...
Air Canada rouge unveiled
Air Canada is promising that its new leisure carrier Air Canada rouge will have what Air Canada COO Ben Smith terms "affordable prices"as it prepares to carry vacationers across the Atlantic and to Caribbean sunspots. Flights start in July. Reservations are now being accepted for a network that will initially feature flights from Montreal and Toronto to Athens, and the airline will also link Toronto with Venice and Edinburgh and three points in the Dominican Republic; Kingston, Jamaica; two destinations in Costa Rica and four in Cuba. Special introductory transatlantic fares available until...
Feds enact all-inclusive airfare advertising laws
Denis Lebel, minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, has announced that all-inclusive airfare advertising is now mandated under amendments to the Air Transportation Regulations. This will ensure consumers can clearly see the total price of an airline ticket, with no hidden fees. "We are protecting Canadian air travellers by helping them see, clearly and up front, the full cost of air tickets, so they can make informed travel choices,"said Lebel. "In addition to benefiting consumers by ensuring transparent advertising, these regulations will promote fair competition between all...
Etihad acquires majority stake in topbonus program
Etihad Airways has announced the purchase of a majority stake in a new entity incorporated to own airberlin's topbonus frequent flyer program, the first step in the establishment of a global loyalty management platform. The new entity will seek to offer new opportunities for topbonus members to collect and redeem topbonus miles around the world, including the ability to use PointsPay to convert miles into cash payments at more than 30 million outlets worldwide. Etihad has taken a 70% holding in the new company, with airberlin taking the remaining 30%. The total transaction value is...
Record-breaking five new aircraft join Emirates fleet
The current Emirates fleet will expand by five aircraft this month as the carrier adds three new A380s and two new Boeing 777s. Maintaining its edge as one of the world's fastest growing airlines, one A380 and one Boeing 777 joined the network in the first weekend of December and the remaining three will join throughout the month. The new additions mark the arrival of Emirates 118th and 119th Boeing aircraft and its 28th to 31st A380s. Ever growing, the list of cities Emirates' serves expands with two new destinations this month as well - Lyon, France and Phuket, Thailand. In addition,...
Finnair adding service to Hanoi
Finnair will begin flying to Hanoi in Vietnam in summer 2013, continuing the airline's strategic focus on traffic between Asia and Europe. Subject to regulatory approvals, Finnair will become the only European airline to offer a direct connection from Europe to the capital of Vietnam. Starting on June 14, Finnair will begin service to Hanoi from its hub in Helsinki with three frequencies per week. From Helsinki, Finnair offers connections to more than 60 European destinations. The Hanoi route will be operated during the summer schedule season, which lasts until Oct 27. Finnair is represented...