Airline News & Updates | Canada's Airline Industry

By TravelPress Staff

November 12, 2012

Air New Zealand taking agents to Middle-Earth

Air New Zealand, the airline of Middle-earth and official travel partner for the highly anticipated movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, is offering two agents a chance to win a trip for two to the film's North America premiere in New York on Dec. 6. The airline is offering this "money can't buy opportunity"to inspire agents across North America about destination New Zealand -- the real home of Middle-Earth. The Hobbit trilogy was filmed at a number of spectacular locations around New Zealand and it is widely expected to increase tourism to the island nation. For a chance to win, agents...

By TravelPress Staff

November 12, 2012

New flights to Manzanillo from YYC

WestJet has launched non-stop seasonal services to Manzanillo, Mexico - the airline's 80th destination, and seventh in Mexico. WestJet will fly between Calgary and Manzanillo weekly on Fridays, with Calgary departures at 10:05 a.m., arriving at 3:03 p.m. It will return from Manzanillo at 3:50 p.m. "Manzanillo is truly the Pearl of the Pacific, featuring stunning beaches and magnificent blue lagoons,"said Peter Tong, WestJet director of schedule and network planning. WestJet Vacations is offering vacation packages to Manzanillo, with all hotels featuring beachfront views and many with...

By TravelPress Staff

November 12, 2012

WestJet changes terminal at Cabo

WestJet has changed terminals at Cabo San Lucas airport. The airline now flies out of Terminal...

By TravelPress Staff

November 12, 2012

Etihad increases Coral Economy baggage allowance

Etihad Airways has increased its complimentary baggage allowance for Coral Economy class guests to 30 kg (although the new policy does not apply to flights to/from Canada or the US where baggage policies are regulated on a per-piece basis). Members of the Etihad Guest program also receive additional allowances. For example, an Etihad Guest Elite member travelling in Economy will now be able to check as much as 50 kilos of baggage on a complimentary basis. The new guidelines will also allow for complimentary carriage of some sporting equipment. In addition to the standard checked baggage...

By Bob Mowat

November 8, 2012

BY THE NUMBERS: AC reports Q3 results

Air Canada reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment, and aircraft rent (EBITDAR), before the impact of certain benefit plan amendments, of $554 million in the third quarter of 2012 compared to EBITDAR of $535 million in the third quarter of 2011, an increase of $19 million. Including the favourable impact of benefit plan amendments, EBITDAR was $678 million for the third quarter of 2012. Adjusted net income of $230 million increased $37 million from the third quarter of 2011. Adjusted net income per diluted share was $0.82 in the third quarter of...

By TravelPress Staff

November 8, 2012

WestJet appoints Encore president

WestJet has announced the appointment of Ferio Pugliese to the position of president, WestJet Encore, and executive vice-president, WestJet. "I am very pleased that Ferio will be leading WestJet Encore; he understands and exudes our strong culture,"said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet president and CEO. As has been the case with WestJet to date, the competitive advantage and success of WestJet Encore will be based on the engagement of WestJetters and a low-cost business model. Ferio's involvement in WestJet Encore's design and his significant contribution to our people leadership and culture make him...

By TravelPress Staff

November 8, 2012

Air France, KLM launch winter sales promotions

As part of a new promotion for flights out of Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa, Air France is offering reduced fares to various destinations with Economy fares starting at $899. The promotion runs until Nov. 20, and applies to trips with departures between Jan. 9 and March 30, 2013. Travellers can choose to fly to Paris, Vienna, Warsaw and other European cities from $899. Other destinations featured in the promotion include Dubai, Amman, Jeddah and Riyadh at $999, as well as Mauritius ($1,299). As part of a new promotion for flights out of five Canadian cities, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is...

By Bob Mowat

November 8, 2012

Etihad, Abu Dhabi partner on promotion

Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) have launched a joint initiative to promote and sell the emirate as a leading leisure destination to the world. "Access Abu Dhabi" offers international trade partners a new opportunity to sell the emirate to their international client base, providing arguably one of the world's most exciting new tourism hot spots. The new program will provide the opportunity for national and international trade partners to benefit from "Preferred Incentive Packages" which will include dedicated marketing support, dedicated sales support,...

By Bob Mowat

November 7, 2012

WestJet has ‘Movember’ madness

WestJet will be having a little "Mo" fun during the month of November as it raises funds in support of prostate cancer and men's mental health initiatives. The airline will release Movember-themed vignettes. These digital shorts will air on WestJet's YouTube channel. In 2011, WestJet president and CEO Gregg Saretsky was a Movember participant, raising $85,000 and becoming one of the top individual Movember fundraisers in the world. This year, Saretsky and WestJetters will b e participating - and fundraising - as a team. Saretsky observed: "Movember allows us to do all the things we, as a...

By Bob Mowat

November 6, 2012

LOADS FACTORED: AC posts strong results

Air Canada turned in a record system load factor of 82.9% in October 2012 that's up by 3.5 percentage points over the 79.4% load factor it recorded in Oct. 2011. System traffic increased 4.9% on a system-wide capacity increase of 0.4%. Air Canada reports traffic results on system-wide basis, including regional airlines from which Air Canada purchases capacity. Calin Rovinescu, president and CEO of Air Canada, said; "This record load factor for the month and strong traffic results overall underscore the effectiveness of our ongoing disciplined approach to managing capacity and our...