Airlines
Air Canada launches JFK service
With the launch of its service to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport from Toronto (inaugurated today, May 3), Air Canada becomes the only Canadian airline serving all three of the Big Apple's major airports. With the new route, existing service to Newark Liberty International Airport and an additional daily flight between Toronto and LaGuardia Airport that began May 1 to bring that service to hourly, Air Canada will now operate up to 38 non-stop return flights a day between Canada and New York City this summer. "New York is a popular destination and Air Canada is very pleased to...
Emirates celebrates stopover anniversary
Emirates is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Dubai Stopover program out of Canada. The carrier reports that in its first year in market, the hotel and sightseeing package has exceeded sales targets by an average of 50% across Canada, with particularly strong growth from western Canada. Commenting on the success of the program, Emirates' manager Canada, Don McWilliam said: "Canadians appreciate a one-stop package that offers a wide range of accommodations, UAE visa support and first class service on the ground and in flight." For Canadians, the Dubai Stopover program offers hotel...
WestJet reports record April loads
WestJet reports that its load factors in April reached record levels. The carrier's load factor hit 86.2%, with its revenue passenger miles growing by 8.2% year over year. Capacity -- measured in available seat miles (ASMs) -- was up by 5% over the same period. Compared to April 2011, WestJet handled over 120,000 more passengers in April 2012, hitting a total of 1.48 million passengers for the month. Noting that the new load factor record is 2.2 points higher than the previous record of 84%, WestJet president and CEO, Gregg Saretsky commented: "The demand environment remains strong and we are...
Minister names arbitrators for AC negotiations
Air Canada reports that it has been advised by Labour minister, Lisa Raitt that she has appointed arbitrators in accordance with Bill C-33, Protecting Air Service Act. Raitt has named Douglas Stanley to act as arbitrator between Air Canada and the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA), which represents the airline's 3,000 pilots. Michel Picher has been appointed by Raitt to act as arbitrator between Air Canada and the IAMAW, which represents the carrier's 8,600 mechanics, baggage handlers and cargo agents. Both appointments take effect immediately. On April 19, 2012, Air Canada announced it...
Oil prices hurting demand
IATA reports that global traffic results for March show that total passenger demand grew by 7.6% compared to the same month in 2011. However, the airline industry association points out that comparisons with March last year are affected by events that depressed passenger demand in 2011, including the Arab Spring, which disrupted travel in the Middle East and North Africa beginning in February 2011 and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011 that impacted air travel across the Asia-Pacific region. IATA estimates that the year-on-year rise in air travel in March was about two...
Air Transat, pilots reach a deal
Air Transat and its pilots -- represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) -- have reached a deal that amends the last collective agreement that was ratified on Oct. 5, 2010. In the wake of initiatives adopted by Transat last fall in order to get back to profitability, the agreement calls for a deferment of planned wage increases in exchange for a lump-sum payment due upon expiry of the collective agreement. That lump-sum payment is conditional on the attainment of certain financial targets and amounts payable as part of the incentive plan will be deducted. In addition, the...
US Airways joins BAR Canada
The Board of Airlines Representatives in Canada (BAR Canada) has welcomed US Airways as its newest member. US Airways operates more than 3,200 flights per day and serves more than 200 communities in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The airline employs more than 32,000 aviation professionals, operates the world's largest fleet of Airbus aircraft and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers its customers more than 21,000 daily flights to 1,290 airports in 189 countries. In March, US Airways began service between Ottawa and...
Etihad invests in Aer Lingus
Etihad Airways has acquired a 2.987% stake in Aer Lingus, forging a commercial partnership with the Irish national carrier. According to Etihad officials, a possible partnership could produce significant commercial benefits for both airlines. Etihad Airways operates 10 flights a week from Abu Dhabi to Dublin and has carried more than 750,000 passengers between the two capitals since it began flying the route in July 2007. The airline has a premium lounge at Dublin Airport, an engineering maintenance facility and has conducted recruitment drives across the country. It also recently renewed its...