Airlines
Fairmont signs on with Jet Airways
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has launched a new marketing alliance with India's Jet Airways. As part of the new partnership, guests and members of the luxury hotel brand's guest recognition program, Fairmont President's Club, will have the option of earning airline miles in Jet Airways' frequent flyer program, JetPrivilege. To kick off the new partnership, Fairmont is extending a launch offer to its guests. Through Aug. 6, guests on qualifying stays will have the opportunity to earn triple miles based on 500 miles per night to a maximum of 2,000 miles per stay. Following the welcome offer,...
AC gets exemption
Air Canada reports that it has received a conditional exemption which would effectively treat Air Canada's Class A variable voting and Class B voting shares as a single class for the purposes of applicable take-over bid requirements and early warning reporting requirements contained under Canadian securities laws. The exemption, however, will become effective immediately (but only) upon shareholder approval of proposed related amendments to Air Canada's shareholder rights plan agreement, which Air Canada will seek at its annual and special meeting of Air Canada shareholders to be held on June...
WestJet launches Aruba flights
Aruba has become WestJet's 30th sun destination with the launch of non-stop, seasonal flight from Toronto's Pearson International airport today. John MacLeod, vice-president, network management and alliances for WestJet, commented: "Without a doubt, Aruba is one of the most beautiful and culturally fascinating islands in the Caribbean. With an average daily temperature of about 30 degrees, clear skies and cooling trade winds, the climate is perfect for a vacation at any time of the year. Aruba is our 30th sun destination available to Canadians on a non-stop basis from Toronto Pearson -...
Easy way to explore the Middle East
Emirates is launching the the Arabian Airpass that features flights priced from US$60. This special offer features business class fares from US$175 and first class fares from US$245. Using Dubai as its base, the Arabian Airpass offers savings on flights to Tehran (IKA), Beirut (BEY), Damascus (DAM), Amman (AMM), Kuwait City (KWI), Dammam (DMM), Bahrain (BAH), Doha (DOH), Muscat (MCT), Sana'a (SAH), Riyadh (RHU) and Cairo (CAI). No minimum stay is required. To take advantage of the program, travellers simply purchase airfare beyond Dubai in conjunction with their international ticket. For...
AC battles challenges in Q1
Air Canada reported earnings -- before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment, and aircraft rent (EBITDAR) -- of $175 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to EBITDAR of $207 million in the first quarter of 2011. The carrier indicated that its EBITDAR of $175 million was in line with the range of $170 million to $180 million projected in the airline's news release dated April 26, 2012. AC reported an operating loss of $93 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to an operating loss of $66 million in the first quarter of 2011. AC's president and CEO, Calin...
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...