Airline News & Updates | Canada's Airline Industry

By Bob Mowat

June 28, 2012

WestJet, AA pen new FFP deal

WestJet has unveiled a new deal with American Airlines that allows WestJet Rewards members to earn WestJet dollars on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines and its affiliates, American Eagle and AmericanConnection. The new agreement provides WestJet Rewards members with the ability to accumulate WestJet dollars faster, especially those guests flying within American's extensive worldwide network of destinations. Starting today, WestJet Rewards members will also earn WestJet dollars on any flight in American Airline's global network, including North America, the Caribbean, Latin...

By Bob Mowat

June 28, 2012

WTAAA wants review of IATA plan

The World Travel Agents Association Alliance (WTAAA) wants a regulatory review of IATA's New Distribution Capability (NDC) initiative and it also wants to be included on "all related committees and task forces" in order to represent the travel agency distribution channel. WTAAA chair, Peter Barlow said: "IATA has the unique challenge of developing a standard that will not be seen by regulators as having the potential to skew the competitive process. We urge IATA to have its newly announced initiative reviewed by regulatory agencies to ensure the initiative is designed to produce...

By Bob Mowat

June 28, 2012

United expedites travel process

United Airlines has unveiled details of the launch of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) PreCheck program at O'Hare International Airport, Terminal 1. 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 1 at O'Hare are allowed to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belts and to keep their laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids and gels in their carry-ons. United's senior...

By TravelPress Staff

June 28, 2012

Star shines for TACA and Avianca

TACA Airlines and Avianca note their incorporation into Star Alliance means their passengers now have access to 21,500 flights a day operated by the 28 Alliance partner airlines in 1,356 airports in 193 countries. As well, frequent travellers will benefit from the amenities, benefits, products and services and frequent flyer programs of the Star Alliance member airlines. There are also 990 VIP lounges found in five continents. Star Alliance is the...

By TravelPress Staff

June 27, 2012

Aeromexico Vacations launched

Aeromexico has launched tour operator division Aeromexico Vacations, with itineraries now available for sale in Canada. Aeromexico Vacations offers vacation packages to leisure destinations across Mexico and in Central America and South America, including popular destinations like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Costa Rica, as well as important cultural centres and historic colonial cities, such as Oaxaca, Merida, Sao Paulo, Guatemala among others. The new vacation offerings are available to more than 40 destinations in Mexico and 11 cities in Central America and South America. To celebrate the...

By Bob Mowat

June 25, 2012

Bureau joins Malaysia Airlines

Duncan Bureau has confirmed to Press Today that he has joined Malaysia Airlines (MAS) as its senior vice-president global sales. Bureau was previously vice-president of sales for WestJet before departing from that post in February of this year. Internet and travel industry sources started to buzz late last week after MAS CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yah stated that Bureau had been hired to run the carrier's sales...

By TravelPress Staff

June 25, 2012

Feds welcome Sichuan Airlines to YVR

Ed Fast, minister of International Trade and minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, along with the Blair Lekstrom, British Columbia's minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and several other officials were on hand in Vancouver Friday (June 22) to celebrate Sichuan Airlines' inaugural passenger flight from Chengdu, China to Vancouver International. "Our government welcomes this new passenger service of Sichuan Airlines to Canada, and we applaud their interest in flying regularly to Vancouver which will make travel more convenient for tourism travellers and business,"said Fast. "The...

By TravelPress Staff

June 25, 2012

Aeroplan welcomes new airline partners

Aeroplan has announced the addition of Avianca-TACA and Copa Airlines to its roster of travel partners. Aeroplan members can now accumulate and redeem Aeroplan miles for travel with both airlines, bringing the total number of airline partners to 33. "We are very pleased to be adding Avianca-TACA and Copa Airlines to Aeroplan's expansive network of premium airlines and providing our members more opportunities to earn miles or book reward flights to Latin America, one of the world's most attractive emerging travel markets,"said David Houston, vice-president, Partnerships, Aeroplan....

By Bob Mowat

June 22, 2012

WestJet, China Eastern unveil code-share deal

WestJet and China Eastern Airlines have unveiled a new code-share deal, which allows China Eastern to market and distribute WestJet-operated flights by putting its "MU" flight indicator on WestJet-operated flights within North America. Tickets are available today for flights starting on July 1, 2012. John MacLeod, WestJet vice-president, network management and alliances, commented: "We are very pleased to announce this code-share relationship with China Eastern Airlines. China Eastern is a high-quality airline and this code-share is an important step in our strategy to welcome on board new...

By TravelPress Staff

June 22, 2012

Avianca, TACA and COPA join Star Alliance

Star Alliance has welcomed Avianca, TACA Airlines and Copa Airlines to its network, greatly enhancing its presence in Latin America and adding close to 50 new airports to the network. In addition to the network, Avianca, TACA Airlines and Copa Airlines customers will also gain access to the full breadth of the global Star Alliance benefits by using their existing frequent flyer memberships to collect and redeem miles on all member carriers. At the same time, holders of Frequent Flyer cards of the other Star Alliance member carriers will be offered the Star Alliance Frequent Flyer benefits...