Airline News & Updates | Canada's Airline Industry

By TravelPress Staff

October 17, 2012

BAR Canada applauds CATSA appointments

The Board of Airline Representatives in Canada (BAR Canada) applauded the appointment of Lloyd McCoomb as the new chairman of board of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and the appointment of Peter Wallis to the CATSA board of directors. "McCoomb, formerly president and chief executive officer of the Greater Toronto Airports authority, and Wallis, formerly chairman of the Calgary Airport Authority, collectively bring years of airport and airline to their new positions. CATSA has an enormous security job, and these new appointments bring an added dimension to an increasing...

By Bob Mowat

October 16, 2012

Creating greater value in the air

IATA is calling on aviation stakeholders to work together to create greater value for customers across the travel experience while enabling greater efficiency for industry participants. Tony Tyler, IATA's director general and CEO, told the World Passenger Symposium in Abu Dhabi, UAE, that: "Airlines expect to carry some 3 billion passengers in 2013. And that number will double by 2030. Connectivity is a critical component of modern economies. Serving that growing demand will require innovation. We need to understand what consumers expect and what they value enough to pay for. Aviation is team...

By Bob Mowat

October 12, 2012

TAKE A BOW: It’s WestJet Encore

WestJet has announced that its new regional airline will be called WestJet Encore following a vote by WestJetters. The regional airline will launch in the second half of 2013, using Bombardier Q400 aircraft to serve smaller Canadian communities. Bob Cummings, WestJet's executive vice-president, sales, marketing and guest experience, said that not only will WestJet Encore leverage "the phenomenal strength of the WestJet brand," it also "reinforces that our WestJetters are ready to repeat the success of WestJet, liberating Canadians in many communities from the high cost of travel." WestJet...

By TravelPress Staff

October 12, 2012

BACK ON TOP: SES a priority for IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reacted positively to statements made today by Siim Kallas, vice-president of the European Commission, asserting that delivering a fully functioning Single European Sky (SES) is Europe's top aviation priority. "IATA fully supports vice-president Kallas in his efforts to put the long-delayed SES project back on track. It is the top priority in rebuilding the competitiveness of the European aviation sector. Cost efficient connectivity is critical to every modern economy. The failure of European member states to deliver on the SES places a EUR 5...

By TravelPress Staff

October 12, 2012

AC launches contest to name its new low cost carrier

Air Canada has launched a contest to help name its new low-cost leisure airline that will begin service in 2013. The carrier is asking customers and travel agents to visit Air Canada's Facebook page to submit their suggestions. Entrants become eligible to win one of three Air Canada Vacations' gift certificates each valued at $1,500 towards a holiday package vacation courtesy of Air Canada Vacations. Winners will be selected from among the entries selected by Air Canada as most closely reflecting the new leisure carrier. The contest kicks off today and runs until Oct. 21. Visit...

By TravelPress Staff

October 12, 2012

Etihad, Air France-KLM sign partner deal

Etihad Airways and Air France-KLM have signed an agreement to codeshare on flights across the airlines' networks, the first phase of a much larger strategic partnership, which commences on Oct. 28. The wide-ranging codeshare agreement will see Etihad Airways and Air France-KLM offering joint codes on destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. At the same time, Air France is announcing a new codeshare agreement with airberlin, Europe's sixth largest airline, in which Etihad Airways holds a 29.21% stake. James Hogan, Etihad Airways' president and chief executive officer,...

By TravelPress Staff

October 11, 2012

WestJet web exchange notice

WestJet is advising agents that it has changed the process for travel agent web residual funds created from downgrade of fare on air bookings originally made online. Agents have the choice to have WestJet's Sales Super Centre perform an exchange for their client and have the residual funds put into a future travel credit. The future travel credit will be in the form of a travel bank in the guest's profile, which will last one year from the date of exchange. To receive this credit for the guest, the exchange must be done through the Sales Super Centre, and not through...

By TravelPress Staff

October 11, 2012

Austrian takes off with new long-haul cabin

Austrian Airlines is converting its entire long-haul fleet and installing a new modern cabin -- all 10 Boeing 777 and 767 long-haul aircraft will be furnished with modern Economy Class seats, an improved in-flight entertainment system, and innovative seats in Business Class, which can be transformed into full-flat beds. The entire interior design of the aircraft will receive a new visual, as Austrian Airlines reworks the colour concept of its cabins. "We are investing over 90 million Euros. I view that as an important investment in the future of Austrian Airlines,"says Austrian Airlines CEO...

By TravelPress Staff

October 10, 2012

New twice-daily service from Kahului to Hana

On Oct. 1, Mokulele Airlines began operating twice-daily flight service from Kahului Airport to Hana Airport, in partnership with Travaasa Hana, Maui. Passengers fly aboard a nine-seat Cessna Grand Caravan 208B and enjoy spectacular views of Hana's coastline during the 20-minute flight. The morning flight departs Kahului at 11:19 a.m., arriving in Hana at 11:40 a.m. It departs Hana at noon arriving Kahului at 12:21 p.m. The afternoon flight departs Kahului at 4:14 p.m. arriving in Hana at 4:35 p.m. It leaves Hana at 4:55 p.m. and arrives in Kahului at 5:16 p.m. Tickets are $59 each way....

By TravelPress Staff

October 5, 2012

Air Canada has record September

For the month of September, Air Canada has reported a record system load factor of 84.9%, versus 82.8% in September 2011. System traffic increased 3.1% on a system-wide capacity increase of 0.5%. Air Canada reports traffic results on a system-wide basis, including regional airlines from which Air Canada purchases capacity. "Air Canada generated greater traffic in all markets the airline serves, with system wide growth of 3.1% on a capacity increase of 0.5% through higher utilization of our existing fleet,"said Air Canada president Calin Rovinescu. "These strong results underscore the...