Airlines
WestJet unveils electric baggage tug
WestJet showcased its newest environmental innovation yesterday (April 22), a baggage tug which runs on rechargeable lithium polymer batteries. The tug, which resembles a small tractor, pulls baggage carts to and from the aircraft and is the first of its kind to operate on this type of battery. As part of a pilot project, the airline worked alongside Corvus Energy, a Richmond-based technology company, to re-engineer the tug to be powered by lithium polymer batteries, removing the need for any fossil fuel to power the equipment. The tug, which began operating in October at Calgary...
Unions back US Airways-American merger
In a joint statement issued late last week by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the Allied Pilots Association (APA), the three unions -- which represent 55,000 American Airlines employees -- have indicated their support for a possible merger between American and US Airways. The unions' statement reads, "On behalf of nearly 55,000 American Airlines front-line employees -- including the 17,000 members of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the 10,000 members of the Allied Pilots Association and the 26,000 members of...
AC, ACPA going back to the table
Air Canada and the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) are going back to the negotiating table. The parties have agreed to a 10-day negotiation period to begin following the appointment of an arbitrator by the Minister of Labour in accordance with the provisions of the Protecting Air Services Act. Air Canada and ACPA will ask that the arbitrator facilitate the negotiations process pursuant to section 31 of the Act that allows for negotiations to take place. ACPA represents approximately 3,000 pilots employed by Air Canada, and its collective agreement expired on March 31, 2011. Air Canada...
IAG completes bmi buy
International Airlines Group (IAG) reports that it has completed its purchase of bmi from Lufthansa. IAG -- which was formed in January 2011 and is the parent company of British Airways and Iberia -- said that the plan is to integrate bmi mainline into British Airways, with consultations already underway with bmi mainline staff and its trade unions on the integration process. bmibaby and bmi regional have not been sold prior to completion. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, IAG will also acquire those businesses and receive a significant price reduction. As previously stated, bmibaby...
Common interest calls for co-operation: IATA
IATA is calling on governments to work together and with the aviation industry to maximize aviation's ability to sustainably drive global economic development and job creation. Speaking at ICAO's International Air Transport Symposium, IATA's director general and CEO, Tony Tyler said, "Governments and industry share a common interest in aviation's success. Aviation is a business and a driver of economic and social development that is vitally important to governments. About 3 billion people fly annually. And the nearly 50 million tonnes of cargo transported by air represents some 35% of the...
Spirit cancels Niagara Falls flights
Runway construction at Niagara Falls International Airport has forced Spirit Airlines to cancel its flights between Niagara Falls, New York and Myrtle Beach from May 15 to June 20, 2012 as well as its flights between Niagara Falls and Fort Lauderdale from May 15 to June 30, 2012. Spirit's vice-president airport services, Jake Filene commented: "We apologize for the inconvenience that this causes our customers and we look forward to resuming our Niagara Falls service as soon as the runway construction project is complete." The carrier is contacting all customers with reservations to/from...
Corsair offering clients upgrade option
French carrier Corsair and Optiontown have a new service for Corsair's economy class passengers - the option to be upgraded. All ticketed passengers will be able to purchase the Upgrade Travel Option for what the airline says is a "very attractive price."The option is available to all passengers in Corsair's Horizon class. They will be offered the service by e-mail or through Corsair's web site. Signing up for the option will enable them to have a chance for an upgrade at a discount of up to 75%. A fee of 3 euros is charged for securing the option. Two days before departure, the options for...
Thomas Cook flying with WestJet
It appears that the plan is unfolding as ... well, as planned. Thomas Cook Canada and WestJet have signed an exclusive partnership that will see WestJet providing all of the airline seats for Sunquest Vacations. The move takes effect for Sunquest's winter 2012-2013 program which begins in November 2012 and follows on the heels of the already planned summer flying program with WestJet. Thomas Cook North America's CEO, Dean Moore commented, "Known for its quality, reliability and outstanding customer service, WestJet has been a key partner for Sunquest and the wider portfolio of Thomas Cook...