Airline News & Updates | Canada's Airline Industry

By Bob Mowat

June 6, 2012

Porter posts record in May

Porter Airlines is on a high. The carrier posted a record load factor of 60.5% per cent for May 2012 -- that's one point higher than the previous year. Another monthly record was also set for passenger numbers, which improved to above 212,000, nearly 30,000 more year-over-year. May results showed 129.7 million Available Seat Miles (ASMs), up 12.5% from 115.3 million last year, and 78.5 million Revenue Passenger Miles (RPMs), up 14.4% from 68.6 million last year. Porter Airlines' president and CEO, Robert Deluce said of the results: "Business travel is strong at this time of year and we are...

By Bob Mowat

June 6, 2012

Etihad takes stake in Virgin Australia

Etihad Airways has taken a 3.96% stake in Virgin Australia Holdings. The carrier has acquired its stake in recent weeks through purchases on the open market. Etihad said it believes that this equity investment in Virgin Australia's domestic operations significantly strengthens the 10-year strategic partnership forged by the two carriers in August 2010 and will enrich the commercial benefits which the alliance already provides for both airlines as well as increasing the benefits to Australian consumers and visitors to Australia. Together, Etihad Airways (21) and V Australia (3) operate 24...

By Bob Mowat

June 6, 2012

May flowers for WestJet

WestJet has reported a load factor of 79.2% in May 2012. The carrier's revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 7.2% year over year, and its capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 1.3% over the same period. The airline flew more than 100,000 additional guests in May 2012 compared to May of 2011. The carrier's president and CEO, Gregg Saretsky commented: "We are very pleased with this month's load factor and forward bookings are showing continued strength as we head into the busy summer flying season." WestJet recently implemented Korean Air as its sixth...

By Bob Mowat

June 6, 2012

CAC welcomes the future

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) is welcoming the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Transport's aviation study entitled "The Future of Canadian Air Travel: Toll Booth or Spark Plug?, calling it timely and pointing out that it supports industry efforts to work with government on improving Canada's aviation competitiveness. CAC chairman, Tom Ruth said that "Many of the recommendations on airport policy are consistent with our own efforts to work with government and our airline and tourism sector partners to improve the competitiveness of our sector. As our member airports will do in...

By Bob Mowat

June 6, 2012

TIAC backs Senate report on air travel

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) was quick to lend its support to the recommendations in the Future of Canadian Air Travel: Toll Booth or Spark Plug report that has just been tabled by the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications. TIAC president and CEO, David Goldstein observed: "The recommendations in this report provide smart policy fixes that would allow our travel and tourism sector to thrive, providing economic growth and creating jobs across the country. We fully support the committee's overarching recommendation for a cohesive national air strategy,...

By Bob Mowat

June 6, 2012

Dump airport rents, senate report recommends

A newly released Senate committee report makes it abundantly clear that Canada needs a single, cohesive national air travel strategy, including an updated National Airports System, to chart a new course toward increased air travel in Canada. The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications' report is entitled "The Future of Canadian Air Travel: Toll Booth or Spark Plug?" and it has been two years in the making. And after hearing from a broad cross-section of the industry, committee chair, senator Dennis Dawson said the report is recommending that the federal government "stop...

By Bob Mowat

June 5, 2012

WestJet launches LaGuardia flights

WestJet has launched its new non-stop service seven times daily on weekdays between Toronto and New York City's LaGuardia Airport. The airline will add an eighth daily weekday flight beginning July 12. Through a partnership with Delta Air Lines, WestJet passengers will be able to connect from WestJet's Canadian network to Delta Air Lines' 62 destinations beyond LaGuardia. John MacLeod, WestJet's vice-President, network management and alliances, said: "Service to Canada's largest international market, with a convenient schedule, is a key part of WestJet's strategy to welcome more business...

By Bob Mowat

June 5, 2012

Delta invests in Grupo Aeromexico

Grupo Aeromexico reports that it has received $65,000,000, from Delta Air Lines Inc. as part of Delta's investment in Mexico's flagship airline's capital stock; thus strengthening its financial position, confirming its expansion project and creating the leading airline alliance in the Mexico-U.S. market. The Mexican Federal Competition Commission (CFC) authorized the operation that allowed Delta Air Lines to underwrite and purchase 30,182,855 shares of stock equivalent to 4.17% of Grupo Aeromexico's capital stock, paying the $31 Mexican pesos per share Grupo Aeromexico offered in its IPO. The...

By Bob Mowat

June 5, 2012

Shareholders approve AC plan

Shareholders have voted to approve proposed amendments to Air Canada's shareholder rights plan during the company's annual and special meeting held on June 4, 2012. The proposed amendments were previously announced on May 4 and are described in the management proxy circular sent to Air Canada's shareholders prior to the meeting. Subject to certain exceptions identified in the Rights Plan, the Rights Plan, as currently amended, would be triggered in the event of an offer to acquire 20% or more of the outstanding Class A variable voting shares and Class B voting shares of Air Canada calculated...

By Bob Mowat

June 5, 2012

Etihad adds Brazil service

Etihad Airways has announced plans to launch service to Brazil -- the airline's first destination in South America. James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad Airways, said that: "Brazil is a logical next step for us and will mark the sixth continent we serve and our coming of age as a truly global airline." Daily flights to Sao Paulo, Brazil will begin in June, 2013. The service will be the first direct air link between Abu Dhabi and any South American country and will mean Etihad Airways serves all of the BRIC high growth nations. "Business and tourism flows between the United Arab Emirates...