Airlines
Air Canada Takes Off With Expanded Winter Sun Sked
Air Canada is taking off with the strategic expansion of its winter sun network that includes four new routes from Toronto and Montreal to Monterrey and Los Cabos in Mexico and, La Romana and Fort-de-France in the Caribbean. As well, Air Canada is deploying a substantial increase in capacity from its Vancouver hub to sought after sun destinations such as Mexico, Miami, Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego, and additional flights from coast to coast to popular winter vacation destinations in Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network...
Feds Unveil New Verified Traveller Program
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra has announced that the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) will soon be launching a new Verified Traveller program that will offer a faster and more efficient screening experience for eligible travellers at select airports across Canada. The new Verified Traveller program will replace the current Trusted Traveller program. By June 21, 2023, dedicated Verified Traveller screening lines will be available at select domestic and international checkpoints in the following airports: Vancouver International Airport Edmonton International...
Air Canada Plans Toronto-Yellowknife Service
Air Canada will begin non-stop, year-round service between Toronto and Yellowknife in December. The new, three-times weekly service will provide convenient connections between eastern Canada and the capital of the Northwest Territories. Customers will also be able to connect onward from Yellowknife on Air Canada's interline partner, Canadian North. Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning at Air Canada, said that: “The North has a magical attraction and Air Canada is pleased to make it easier for customers to visit Yellowknife and beyond,...
WTTC Calls For Action On Sustainable Aviation Fuel
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) wants governments around the world to ‘get serious’ about incentivizing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and set ambitious targets to produce adequate quantities. Without meaningful quantities of SAF, the WTTC says that the aviation sector can’t decarbonize on a scale that will allow it to reach Net Zero by 2050, as committed to by the industry and supported by ICAO Member States. The aviation industry expects to reach net zero carbon emissions by: Delivering the maximum reduction in emissions at source, through the...
Air Transat, Porter Add More Connections
As part of the second phase of the codeshare agreement between Air Transat and Porter Airlines, initially launched last October, Canadian and European travellers can now take advantage of additional routes linking Canada to destinations in the South, the U.S. and Europe. The partnership allows Porter Airlines' domestic flights to be combined with Air Transat's flights via a connection at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and now Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ). The codeshare agreement expands the range of routes and destinations available, including the possibility of...
Porter Lands In Charlottetown, Confirms Year-Round Service
Porter Airlines has launched flights between Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and Charlottetown Airport (YYG) and has also confirmed plans to serve the route year-round. As Porter arrives in Prince Edward Island, the airline now flies to all Atlantic provinces for the first time, reinforcing a commitment to building its presence in Eastern Canada. Porter is the only airline offering year-round, daily non-stop service between Charlottetown and Ottawa. The direct service begins with 11 weekly flights, increasing to 14 weekly round trips during the summer peak season. As of Oct. 29,...
WestJet, Pilots Reach Tentative Deal, Strike Averted
Strike action by the 1,800 pilots at WestJet and Swoop has been averted after the WestJet Group and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) reached a tentative agreement on the second collective bargaining agreement between the organizations. The next step in the process will be a ratification vote by membership. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIyfFglqDPo Commenting on the tentative agreement, Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “The WestJet Group is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that is industry-leading...
WestJet Group Begins ‘Taking Down’ Its Network As Pilots Strike Looms
WestJet Group has started ‘taking down’ its network as it prepares for labour action by WestJet and Swoop pilots. The company said that it is taking the action in order to ensure that the airline can avoid abandoning aircraft in remote locations without support and it enables the proactive communication with guests and crew to minimize the potential for being stranded. The decision to cancel flights comes as the WestJet Group remains in a stalemate with the union regarding unreasonable wage expectations that if realized would permanently damage the financial viability of the...