Airline News & Updates | Canada's Airline Industry

By TravelPress Staff

September 21, 2012

Africa aviation under the spotlight at WTM 2012

Africa's airline industry will be put under the spotlight at World Travel Market 2012 as part of a wider series of discussions among aviation chiefs over the industry's future. The airline events program will start on Nov. 6 with the "Airline - Out of Africa"session which will look at how the continent's airlines are taking on international airlines to secure a slice of this growing market. In the past many local airlines have complained that they are missing out on the increasing passenger numbers Africa is generating. However, the emergence of strong African airlines is countering this...

By TravelPress Staff

September 21, 2012

Air Canada set to launch low-cost carrier

It's reported that Air Canada will soon announce details for its plans to launch a new low-cost carrier targeting the likes of rivals Transat and Sunwing. According to reports, the carrier will be 100% owned by Air Canada, have its own management team, and focus on Sun and European...

By TravelPress Staff

September 20, 2012

Travelport signs multi-year agreement with Qantas

Travelport has announced a new long-term agreement with Qantas Airways. Effective immediately, the new agreement ensures Galileo, Worldspan and Apollo-connected travel agents worldwide have access to Qantas' full published inventory including ancillary content such as paid seating, consistent with the airline's web site. Last year, Travelport subscribers received full GDS access to the Qantas advance seat selection product, following the introduction of a new booking capability enabling agents to book and pay for preferred seats on Qantas flights via their desktop....

By TravelPress Staff

September 20, 2012

Porter set for second season of Vermont service

Porter Airlines is preparing for another year of service to Burlington, Vt. from Toronto's Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport beginning Dec. 15 until April 8, 2013. Four weekly roundtrip options are now available compared to two last season. This is Porter's second year flying to Burlington, a popular destination for skiers. Weekly flights are available on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Between Dec. 15 and Jan. 6, 2013 flights will operate on Saturdays in place of Fridays. Special Porter ski packages and shuttle bus service for Jay Peak, Smugglers' Notch Resort, Stowe Mountain Resort...

By TravelPress Staff

September 20, 2012

United checks in with TSA program

United Airlines has announced the launch of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) PreCheck program at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) C3 Checkpoint and will introduce the same at Dulles International Airport (IAD) main terminal later this month. TSA PreCheck is a new, risk-based pre-screening initiative that allows customers to volunteer information about themselves that may make them eligible to expedite their screening experience. Eligible United customers travelling through Terminal C3 Checkpoint at EWR and the departures level of the main terminal at IAD are...

By TravelPress Staff

September 19, 2012

Air France invests in customer satisfaction

Air France is investing several hundred million euros to reposition its products and services and will renew its First and Business class cabins in terms of comfort, service and in-flight dining on its long-haul fleet. Announced at the IFTM-Top Resa fair, these investments, made possible by agreements signed within the framework of the Transform 2015 business plan, will be used to redesign the La Première and Business cabins on board the company's Boeing 777 aircraft as of 2014. And, starting this winter, Air France will be offering Business travellers a completely redesigned in-flight...

By TravelPress Staff

September 18, 2012

Porter, SAA launch interline agreement

Porter Airlines and South African Airways (SAA) has launched a new interline agreement that will open up connection opportunities for passengers travelling between Canada and West and Southern Africa through Porter's Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport hub and SAA's Johannesburg, South Africa hub, via Washington, DC (Dulles). The agreement takes effect today (Sept. 17) with tickets between the two airlines now available for purchase through South African Airways. SAA offers non-stop service from Washington, DC (Dulles) to Dakar, Senegal, with a continuation to Johannesburg, South Africa. From...

By Bob Mowat

September 17, 2012

Back in the black

In its newly released outlook on Canada's air transportation industry, the Conference Board of Canada says that this country's airlines "can expect a second consecutive year of losses in 2012." Michael Burt, director, industrial economic trends for the Conference Board, says: "The Canadian air transportation industry is set for a bumpy flight over the coming months. The European debt crisis is not over and the U.S. economic recovery remains sluggish. At home, Canadians are turning their attention to paying down their debt and are growing more cautious when it comes to spending." Burt...

By Bob Mowat

September 14, 2012

Transat by the numbers

Transat A.T. Inc. reports that it posted revenues of $909.1 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2012, compared with $937.0 million in 2011, a decrease of $27.9 million, or 3.0%. The company recorded a margin of $22.1 million, compared with of $14.7 million in 2011, and a net income of $9.4 million ($0.25 per share on a diluted basis), compared with a net loss of $2.8 million ($0.07 per share on a diluted basis) in 2011. Before non-cash and non-operating items, Transat reported an adjusted after-tax income3 of $10.5 million ($0.28 per share on a diluted basis), compared with $2.8 million...

By Bob Mowat

September 14, 2012

Walking on air with CX

Cathay Pacific Airways has launched the "Walking on Air" fashion getaway sweepstakes to celebrate the airline's rich history of couture. Known as much for style as service (cabin crew uniform designers have included Hermes, Nina Ricci and, most recently, Hong Kong designer, Eddie Lau), Cathay Pacific has brought together the top names in lifestyle and fashion -- including Tablet Hotels, Rent the Runway and Birchbox -- to give one lucky jetsetter and a companion the opportunity to win a dream getaway to Cathay Pacific's home, Hong Kong. Additionally, 10 fashion aficionados have the opportunity...