Airlines
Travel options expanding at Hamilton International
John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (Hamilton International or YHM) has released details of its 2025/26 Winter Program, featuring flights to destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Florida, along with continued service to key Canadian cities, including Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Vancouver. As well, passengers travelling from Hamilton International will enjoy the added comfort and convenience of passenger jet bridges – that’s a first. The much-anticipated additions are coming just in time for the winter season and will provide direct, weather-protected access from the...
Air Canada updates goodwill policy for customers as recovery accelerates
Air Canada said that it expects “to deliver close to its full network schedule” by tomorrow (Fri., Aug 22, 2026). As it continues to ramp up its operations, Air Canada also advised that it had updated its goodwill policy to cover reasonable additional accommodation and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by customers as a result of the labour disruption at the airline. The updated, exceptional policy applies to customers whose original travel was disrupted between Aug. 15 and Aug. 23, 2025 inclusive and builds on the flexible rebooking policy implemented earlier to cover transport...
Air Canada’s Lisa Pierce: “We are here for all agents”
When you ask Lisa Pierce how Air Canada will be rebuilding trust as it resumes its operations, she’ll tell you that the airline will do it by being present, being transparent, being honest and providing constantly updated information to the travel trade and to their clients in what can only be described as an unprecedented situation. “It's up to us to earn their trust back and we're committed to doing that,” Pierce, VP Global Sales & Air Canada Vacations, said in conversation with Travel Press Today. Addressing the travel trade, Pierce thanked agents for working extremely...
Air Canada Introduces “Exceptional Disruption” policy as it resumes operations
Air Canada resumed operations yesterday (Aug. 19) after reaching a tentative agreement with its 10,000 flight attendants. The carrier had 155 flights scheduled for the day as it gradually resumed service, beginning with a limited number of international flights. This will gradually increase as the airline restores service in Canada, the U.S. and around the world over the coming days. Highlights of Air Canada’s return to the skies include: First departures were AC009 from Toronto to Tokyo-Narita, AC556 from Vancouver to Los Angeles and AC489 from Montreal to Toronto 155...
Deal is Done: Air Canada, Flight Attendants hammer out tentative agreement
Air Canada said it will gradually be restarting its operations today after reaching a mediated agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) through a process overseen by a mutually agreed-to mediator, William Kaplan. Mediation discussions were begun on the basis that the union commit to have the airline’s 10,000 flight attendants immediately return to work, allowing the airline to resume the operations of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, which have been grounded since August 16. Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, said: “The...
Skytrans becomes SmartLynx Australia
Australian passenger airline Skytrans -- part of ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider Avia Solutions Group -- will now be known as SmartLynx Australia. Earlier this year, the company expanded its fleet with new aircraft types – Dash 8-200 and Airbus A319 aircraft, making the airline ready to expand existing operations and introduce ACMI services. Both developments mark a new phase in the company’s integration into the Avia Solutions Group’s growth strategy for the Asia-Pacific region. With this rebranding, the company will benefit from a new visual...
UPDATED: Flight attendants remain on picket line, as Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge flights remain suspended
The union representing Air Canada’s 10,000 flight attendants said at a press conference today that it will continue to support and standby its members in their fight for a new collective agreement. CUPE National President, Mark Hancock said at the briefing: “We will not turn our back on these workers. We will not turn our back on these members. We’re going to continue to support those flight attendants that are walking the picket lines at Pearson and across the country. We will do whatever it takes to get them a collective agreement that they can vote on.” Hancock continued:...
CIRB Declares Flight Attendant Strike at Air Canada Unlawful, Orders CUPE to Direct Flight Attendants Back to Work
Air Canada is advising that the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has declared ongoing strike activity by the company’s 10,000 flight attendants is illegal and has ordered the leadership of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) to direct its members to return to work. Following a hearing on Aug. 17, the CIRB declared that CUPE’s strike is unlawful. It ordered the union leadership, which authorized the strike, to immediately tell its members to end the work stoppage. It also directed individual members of the union to cease all unlawful activities and return to...