Airlines
More success, more flights
As a result of the success of its Costa Rica program, Sunwing is launching new flights to San Jose (SJO), in addition to its current flights to Liberia (LIR). Flights from Toronto will depart weekly on Fridays from Dec. 21, 2012 to April 12, 2013. As well, Sunwing will be offering vacation packages, which include a selection of hotels in some of Costa Rica's most popular Central Pacific destinations. Located only 50 km from San Jose on the Gulf of Nicoya, Sunwing offers the DoubleTree by Hilton Puntarenas Hotel. Hotels in the Jaco area, which is popular for surfing, include the Best Western...
Fleet plan has AC poised for international growth
Air Canada unveiled details of a new fleet plan that provides for international growth at both the mainline carrier and its new low-cost leisure airline to be launched in 2013. AC will add two new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to the mainline carrier's wide-body fleet in order to pursue strategic growth opportunities for its international network. With the addition of these two aircraft, to be delivered in June and September 2013, Air Canada's Boeing 777 fleet will consist of 20 aircraft comprising the latest generation of 300ER and 200LR models. Air Canada currently operates 56 wide-body...
Make it transparent, travellers say
In its survey of summer travellers, Open Allies for Airfare Transparency found that 94% of Americans who recently used an online travel company (OTC) to book their travel this summer agreed that "all airline fee information should be available to travel agents and online travel web sites." The survey of 2,310 US adults aged 18 and older, was conducted online by market research firm, Harris Interactive. It found that 95% of Americans who used an OTC to book their summer travel agreed that "it would be easier to comparison shop if all airline fee information was available on online travel web...
Goersch named AC chief operating officer
Air Canada has announced the appointment of Klaus Goersch as executive vice-president and chief operating officer. In this role he will have responsibility for the safe, reliable and cost-effective operation of the airline. Goersch will have oversight for all key operating areas including flight operations, maintenance and engineering, airports, in-flight service, and systems operations control. Goersch has more than 25 years experience in the airline industry in both senior management and as a commercial pilot. He joins Air Canada from Air Tran Airways where he held the position of executive...
Win with Trafalgar, Air Canada
This year marks milestones for Trafalgar, which is marking 65 years of operation, and Air Canada, in business for 75 years. In celebration, the two companies have collaborated to express their gratitude to travel agent partners by offering them the chance to win a Trafalgar guided vacation for two with return international airfare provided by Air Canada, and other prizes. When agents book their clients on a 2013 Trafalgar Europe guided vacation and add on international flights with Air Canada, they will receive one entry for every passenger booked between Sept. 27 and Dec. 31....
Demand slowdown continues
IATA reports that global traffic results for August show demand for air transport continuing to flatten-out, but with significant regional variations. Demand for air travel expanded by 5.1% in August compared to the same month in 2011. This partly reflects a positive distortion owing to the timing of Ramadan. Adjustment for such seasonal fluctuations reveals that passenger demand has been basically flat since June and with only a 1.2% expansion since January. Carriers continued to moderate capacity expansion, limiting it to 4.1% growth, taking load factors to 82.1%. Tony Tyler, IATA's...
Air France releases winter schedule
Air France has announced its winter schedule that comes into effect Oct. 28 as well as new features it has in store for passengers flying to and from Canada. The airline will continue to operate two daily flights between Montreal and Paris and one daily departure out of Toronto. Flight times are unchanged. In Business cabin, all planes serving Canada will be equipped with the latest generation Business seats that stretch 61 cm wide and two metres long. An actual mock-up of the Business cabin seat will be featured at the Air France KLM check-in area at Montréal-Trudeau airport Oct. 4 -;...
Air Transat gets rights to serve El Salvador
Air Transat has been given government approval to operate scheduled international air services between Canada and El Salvador. "The designation of Air Transat to serve El Salvador will contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the Canadian airline industry and provide more choices for travellers with additional, direct flight options to El Salvador,"said Transport Minister Denis Lebel. "It demonstrates Canada's commitment to supporting travel and trade links with Central America."Under Canada's Multiple Designation policy, all Canadian air carriers may apply to the Minister of Transport...