Airlines
Cathay kicks off ‘Noodles of Asia’ campaign
Cathay Pacific Airways has kicked off its first-ever "Noodles of Asia"campaign in celebration of National Noodle Month. The airline and distinguished guest judges, Mijune Pak, creator of Follow me Foodie, one of Canada's most recognized food and travel blogs, chef-restaurateurs Martin Yan of "Yan Can Cook"television fame and San Francisco's new M.Y. China restaurant located in the Westfield Centre, Level 4, as part of the Restaurant Collection, and Sang Yoon, chef and proprietor of Father's Office gastropubs and Lukshon Restaurant in Culver City, CA, are on a mission to find the best noodle...
BTC-led group raises merger concerns
In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Transportation Department Secretary Ray LaHood, the Business Travel Coalition (BTC) has outlined industry concerns over the growing concentration in the U.S. airline industry in light of the proposed merger between American Airlines and US Airways. The letter was signed by scores of corporate travel buyers, travel management companies and travel associations from twenty-four U.S. states and five countries. The BTC also provided the regulators an antitrust and industry analysis prepared by BTC and The American Antitrust Institute as well as...
IATA moves ahead with NDC
IATA has made it official, filing an application with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for approval of Passenger Services Conference Resolution 787, which is the foundation standard for the New Distribution Capability (NDC). (NDC is an IATA-led collaborative industry initiative to define an Extensible Markup Language (XML) messaging standard that will enable retailing opportunities through the indirect channel (Global Distribution System (GDS) and travel agents). Resolution 787 was adopted by the Passenger Services Conference in October 2012.) In making its filing, IATA...
A taste of Iceland
Now that it has resumed non-stop service from Toronto, Icelandair is celebrating its new year-round gateway. In cooperation with Iceland Naturally, it will be giving Toronto A Taste of Iceland starting March 21. A Taste of Iceland will showcase Icelandic music, cuisine and culture at select venues throughout the city through March 24. Plus, Icelandair representatives will be hitting the streets of Toronto and surrounding areas to give away trips to Iceland. One trip for two will be given away each day on Thursday, March 21, Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23. "Like" Icelandair on...
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...