Airlines

Feds forge expanded air agreement with Saudi Arabia

The federal government recently announced that the existing bilateral air transport agreement between Canada and Saudi Arabia has been expanded. The amendments, which were recently negotiated during the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will give additional flexibility for airlines of both countries to determine routings and pricing, and allow them to respond to market developments more rapidly. "This expanded air transport agreement will facilitate the movement of people and goods and will provide new business opportunities for Canada's air industry to the...

Etihad flies record 10.29 million passengers in 2012

Etihad Airways surpassed its target of carrying 10 million passengers in 2012 and is set to achieve a 22% increase on the total of 8.41 million passengers for 2011. The increase in passenger numbers -- up to a total of 10.29 million -- represents an extra 1.88 million passengers travelling on the carrier's global network that now covers 87 of its own passenger and cargo destinations, and 245 codeshare destinations. The passenger growth for Etihad is mirrored by its equity partners. By the end of 2012, airberlin is expected to have carried 33.4 million passengers, Virgin Australia 19.5 million...

Air Transat off to Roatan, Grenada

Air Transat has launched inaugural service to Roatan, Honduras from Toronto. Inaugural flight C6 732 to Roatan departed from Pearson yesterday (Dec. 20). Transat is also set to introduce service to Grenada, with inaugural flight C6 766 taking off on Dec. 24. Passengers on both flights are being treated with special treatment at the gate prior to departure, and welcomed with cocktails upon their arrival. Weekly flights to Roatan are available from Toronto on Thursdays through April 18, 2013. Weekly flights to Grenada are available from Toronto on Mondays through April 15, 2013....

WestJet sets single-day traffic record

WestJet reports it will fly 57,464 guests today (Dec.21), setting a new single-day record for guests travelling with the airline. "Whether our guests are travelling home to see friends and family or taking advantage of a great vacation package to the sun, we're pleased to welcome them on board today,"said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, sales, marketing and guest experience. "In a year filled with important milestones, a record-setting day is a testament to the work of WestJetters across our...

French carriers ease travel at Orly Airport

France's Aigle Azur and Corsair International have reached an understanding allowing them to attune their mutual networks in order to ease travel at the Paris` Orly Airport. Aigle Azur and Corsair will be able to take advantage of their geographical expansion, thanks to a cross selling of plane tickets among their respective customers. New opportunities will benefit customers of the two companies who do not live in Paris, as the networks of the two airlines match perfectly: Corsair is a long-haul airline, flying mostly to the Antilles, Canada, Western Africa and the Indian Ocean, while Aigle...

Air Canada rouge unveiled

Air Canada is promising that its new leisure carrier Air Canada rouge will have what Air Canada COO Ben Smith terms "affordable prices"as it prepares to carry vacationers across the Atlantic and to Caribbean sunspots. Flights start in July. Reservations are now being accepted for a network that will initially feature flights from Montreal and Toronto to Athens, and the airline will also link Toronto with Venice and Edinburgh and three points in the Dominican Republic; Kingston, Jamaica; two destinations in Costa Rica and four in Cuba. Special introductory transatlantic fares available until...

Etihad acquires majority stake in topbonus program

Etihad Airways has announced the purchase of a majority stake in a new entity incorporated to own airberlin's topbonus frequent flyer program, the first step in the establishment of a global loyalty management platform. The new entity will seek to offer new opportunities for topbonus members to collect and redeem topbonus miles around the world, including the ability to use PointsPay to convert miles into cash payments at more than 30 million outlets worldwide. Etihad has taken a 70% holding in the new company, with airberlin taking the remaining 30%. The total transaction value is...

Record-breaking five new aircraft join Emirates fleet

The current Emirates fleet will expand by five aircraft this month as the carrier adds three new A380s and two new Boeing 777s. Maintaining its edge as one of the world's fastest growing airlines, one A380 and one Boeing 777 joined the network in the first weekend of December and the remaining three will join throughout the month. The new additions mark the arrival of Emirates 118th and 119th Boeing aircraft and its 28th to 31st A380s. Ever growing, the list of cities Emirates' serves expands with two new destinations this month as well - Lyon, France and Phuket, Thailand. In addition,...