Airline News & Updates | Canada's Airline Industry

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...

By Bob Mowat

September 14, 2012

Air Transat earns climate award

Air Transat has been recognized as "Most Climate Efficient North American Net Carrier" by the German organization atmosfair, which for the second year in a row evaluated the environmental performance of some 130 carriers, rating their atmospheric CO2 emissions and ranking them in its Airline Index. The announcement was made at the Berlin Air Show. Allen B. Graham, president and CEO, Air Transat, and president, Transat Canada, said: "We are extremely pleased with the recognition our airline is receiving today. Air Transat has applied a stringent fuel management program since 2003, and more...

By Bob Mowat

September 14, 2012

TUIfly connects with Travelport

Travelport has signed a new, long-term, airline IT services agreement with TUIfly, the third largest airline in Germany. The e-Ticketing technology is utilized by TUIfly Vermarktungs GmbH (TUIfly.com), the flight travel portal of TUI Deutschland. TUIfly.com has implemented Travelport E-Ticket Technologies in combination with their reservation system, New Skies, offered by Navitaire LLC, enabling the airline to fully leverage the benefits of outbound interline e-ticketing. The new deal is part of a TUIfly.com initiative to broaden the worldwide flight offer for customers and combinability of...

By Bob Mowat

September 13, 2012

Letter of intent signed

Hawaiian regional carrier, Island Air, has signed a letter of intent leasing five ATR 42 jet prop aircraft and marking the next step in the carrier's New Business Plan (NBP) launched earlier this year. The agreement was reached with Chicago's Aerway Leasing, LLC for 5 ATR 42 jet prop aircraft which will enable a dramatic upgrade in scale and service for the airline. Island Air CEO, Lesley Kaneshiro said: "These aircraft represent an integral part of our plan to deliver on our service commitment to theß ever increasing number of guests flying with us each day and is the next step in our...

By Bob Mowat

September 12, 2012

CTA helping travellers make choices

The Canadian Transportation Agency has released a tariff repository that's designed to help travellers familiarize themselves with air carriers' terms and conditions of carriage. The repository provides a "one-window" direct access to major airlines' web sites where airline tariffs can be found, in turn, enabling passengers to read about their rights and responsibilities when travelling. Air carriers can also use the repository to easily compare their tariff provisions with those of other carriers. The Tariff Repository can be accessed on the CTA's web site at...