Airlines
Italy welcomes more connections for Canadians with Turkish Airlines
Representatives from The Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT) were recently joined in Toronto by local partners Connect2Italy and Mancini Worldwide, to demonstrate the ease of connectivity to various destinations in Italy via Turkish Airlines. According to Luca Zelioli, Italian consul general in Toronto, tourism to Italy accounts for 14 per cent of the country’s GDP. “It’s been a year of exceptional results, with a substantial increase of foreign visitors from North America,” Zelioli said. “Figures for the winter months of 2024 indicate that we are likely not only to...
PLAY Airlines appoints Einar Örn Ólafsson as CEO
PLAY airlines, a low-cost airline operating flights between Iceland and Europe, has appointed Einar Örn Ólafsson as its new chief executive officer, succeeding Birgir Jónsson. Jónsson will continue to work for PLAY airlines until April 2, 2024, and will remain as an advisor for the company for the next few months to ensure a seamless transition. Ólafsson is one of PLAY airlines’ largest shareholders and has been chairman of the board since April 2021. He has rescinded his candidacy as a board member for the election of a new board at the company’s annual general meeting on...
WestJet successfully lowers fuel emission levels by 11%
WestJet has reported an 11 per cent reduction in its fuel emissions intensity in 2023, compared to 2019. The reductions align with the airline's commitment to responsible growth and the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) goal for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The lower aircraft emissions intensity can be attributed to strategic initiatives including fleet modernization and a responsible shift in network planning. By incorporating newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft and optimizing flight routes, WestJet is successfully curtailing its impact on the...
Air Transat adds two new airline partners
Air Transat is expanding its virtual interlining service with the addition of two new airline partners. Its innovative connectair by Air Transat platform now enables travellers to combine Air Transat flights with those of Pegasus Airlines and Volotea, bringing the total to 14 collaborating airlines and offering unprecedented access to more than 275 additional destinations worldwide. Exciting new possibilities The association with Pegasus Airlines opens up exciting travel opportunities to multiple Turkish coastal hotspots such as Istanbul and Antalya. In addition, the partnership...
WestJet appoints Diederik Pen as airline president
The WestJet Group has appointed Diederik Pen as president of WestJet Airlines effective April 1, 2024. As WestJet group chief operating officer and president of WestJet Airlines, Pen will continue to report to Alexis von Hoensbroech, the WestJet Group's CEO. As CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech will continue to maintain overall responsibility for the WestJet Group and its strategic direction. "Diederik's experience as a respected leader, with a track record of operational success, will be critical as we continue our growth strategy, including the integration of Sunwing Airlines," said von...
Air Transat appoints Sebastien Ponce as chief revenue officer
Air Transat has appointed Sebastian Ponce as chief revenue officer. He is now responsible for the air network strategy, revenue management, and the development of airline alliances. At Transat since 2018, Sebastian most recently held the position of vice-president, program and alliances. With his team, he was instrumental in redefining Transat's network and alliance strategy and in setting up the Alliances department, responsible for developing and maintaining airline partnerships. He has also spearheaded numerous inter-carrier partnership agreements, including the recent commercial...
Air France flying to 5 Canadian cities this summer
Air France is responding to sustained demand by pushing forward with the expansion of its global network. Come summer 2024, North America will be seeing even more of Air France. The airline is resuming flights to Minneapolis (Minnesota), with one daily flight. It is also inaugurating a new direct service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Phoenix (Arizona), three times a week aboard a Boeing 787-9. The airline is also extending the direct service to Raleigh-Durham (North Carolina) it inaugurated in winter 2023, and upping the number of weekly flights to seven from three during...
WestJet gearing up for direct flights to Seoul
WestJet has extended its strategic partnership with APG, a leading global airline services company, to South Korea where APG will act as the airline’s representative. Under this partnership agreement, APG will play a pivotal role in enhancing WestJet's presence in South Korea by providing comprehensive sales development, agent help desk support and dynamic marketing initiatives. The catalyst for this collaboration is the launch of WestJet's newest transpacific service from Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea. Commencing...