Airlines
Shareholders approve AC plan
Shareholders have voted to approve proposed amendments to Air Canada's shareholder rights plan during the company's annual and special meeting held on June 4, 2012. The proposed amendments were previously announced on May 4 and are described in the management proxy circular sent to Air Canada's shareholders prior to the meeting. Subject to certain exceptions identified in the Rights Plan, the Rights Plan, as currently amended, would be triggered in the event of an offer to acquire 20% or more of the outstanding Class A variable voting shares and Class B voting shares of Air Canada calculated...
Etihad adds Brazil service
Etihad Airways has announced plans to launch service to Brazil -- the airline's first destination in South America. James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad Airways, said that: "Brazil is a logical next step for us and will mark the sixth continent we serve and our coming of age as a truly global airline." Daily flights to Sao Paulo, Brazil will begin in June, 2013. The service will be the first direct air link between Abu Dhabi and any South American country and will mean Etihad Airways serves all of the BRIC high growth nations. "Business and tourism flows between the United Arab Emirates...
Delta selling premium seats through Travelport
Delta Air Lines and Travelport have reached a deal that will see Delta's premium economy product, Economy Comfort, sold through Travelport's global distribution system. The new agreement will create Economy Comfort booking access later this year for travel agents who use Galileo, Worldspan or Apollo. Wayne Aaron, vice president -- marketing programs and distribution strategy at Delta, explained that "Customers today can purchase Economy Comfort directly with Delta at delta.com, through a reservations agent or at the airport via a kiosk or ticket agent. Partnering with Travelport broadens the...
CTA launches new resource
The Canadian Transportation Agency has launched its new Carriage of Mobility Aids Resource Tool for air, rail and inter-provincial ferry carriers to assist travellers, travel agents and transportation service providers in the planning of and preparation for travel involving mobility aids. Over the last decade, there has been a marked increase in the frequency of use and in the size of some types of mobility aids. Carriage of mobility aids is an essential part of any mobility aid user's travel, and requires extra planning and preparation. The CTA's Resource Tool combines new information to...
Downunder’ specials introduced for Canadians
Air New Zealand, Tourism Australia, South Australian Tourism Commission, Tourism Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland have partnered with Downunder Travel Ltd. to offer Canadian travellers specially priced packages to several Australian destinations, including iconic Kangaroo Island -- known as the "Galapagos of Australia"-- the famed Barossa wine region of South Australia and to Queensland's World Heritage Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Packages, which include airfare, accommodation, tours and transfers, can be booked through June 16 for travel departing from...
Air France introduces Business Class special
As part of a promotion for flights out of Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa, Air France is offering Business class fares from $1,999, all taxes and surcharges included. The promotion runs until June 5, and applies to trips with departures between June 19 and Sept. 10. Paris, Belgrade, Rome, Athens, Sofia and Berlin are some of the destinations offered out of Montreal. From Toronto, a $2,499 fare is available to Belgrade, Barcelona and Zagreb and the Indian destinations of Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai are offered starting at $3,299. Air France's business travel offer includes a two 32 kg baggage...
Etihad Guest to become multi-airline program
Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways' loyalty program, will expand to become a multi-airline program in June. The new development will see Seychelles Plus, the Air Seychelles frequent flyer program, becoming fully integrated into Etihad Guest's loyalty platform. The change will be effective from June 16 and all Seychelles Plus members will automatically receive a new co-branded membership based on Etihad's loyalty program. Features available to airlines supported by the Etihad Guest program include: Immediate rewards - with the 1MileRedemption feature, fly once and enjoy instant rewards; No blackout...
TACA ups El Salvador service
TACA will soon begin daily direct service between Toronto and El Salvador, with the final destination being San Jose, Costa Rica. The carrier now has three weekly flights on the route. Additional Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday frequencies will begin July 2. Flights leave Toronto at 10:45 a.m., arriving in San Salvador at 2 p.m. The carrier notes that it also offers daily service to Lima through San Salvador, with those arriving in the Peruvian capital able to find immediate connections to Cuzco, Arequipa, Trujillo, Piura, Chiclayo, Tarapoto and Juliaca. Flights also connect from San...