International Airlines Group (IAG) reports that it has completed its purchase of bmi from Lufthansa. IAG -- which was formed in January 2011 and is the parent company of British Airways and Iberia -- said that the plan is to integrate bmi mainline into British Airways, with consultations already underway with bmi mainline staff and its trade unions on the integration process. bmibaby and bmi regional have not been sold prior to completion. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, IAG will also acquire those businesses and receive a significant price reduction. As previously stated, bmibaby...
IATA is calling on governments to work together and with the aviation industry to maximize aviation's ability to sustainably drive global economic development and job creation. Speaking at ICAO's International Air Transport Symposium, IATA's director general and CEO, Tony Tyler said, "Governments and industry share a common interest in aviation's success. Aviation is a business and a driver of economic and social development that is vitally important to governments. About 3 billion people fly annually. And the nearly 50 million tonnes of cargo transported by air represents some 35% of the...
Runway construction at Niagara Falls International Airport has forced Spirit Airlines to cancel its flights between Niagara Falls, New York and Myrtle Beach from May 15 to June 20, 2012 as well as its flights between Niagara Falls and Fort Lauderdale from May 15 to June 30, 2012. Spirit's vice-president airport services, Jake Filene commented: "We apologize for the inconvenience that this causes our customers and we look forward to resuming our Niagara Falls service as soon as the runway construction project is complete." The carrier is contacting all customers with reservations to/from...
French carrier Corsair and Optiontown have a new service for Corsair's economy class passengers - the option to be upgraded. All ticketed passengers will be able to purchase the Upgrade Travel Option for what the airline says is a "very attractive price."The option is available to all passengers in Corsair's Horizon class. They will be offered the service by e-mail or through Corsair's web site. Signing up for the option will enable them to have a chance for an upgrade at a discount of up to 75%. A fee of 3 euros is charged for securing the option. Two days before departure, the options for...
It appears that the plan is unfolding as ... well, as planned. Thomas Cook Canada and WestJet have signed an exclusive partnership that will see WestJet providing all of the airline seats for Sunquest Vacations. The move takes effect for Sunquest's winter 2012-2013 program which begins in November 2012 and follows on the heels of the already planned summer flying program with WestJet. Thomas Cook North America's CEO, Dean Moore commented, "Known for its quality, reliability and outstanding customer service, WestJet has been a key partner for Sunquest and the wider portfolio of Thomas Cook...
In an effort to provide Canadian businesses with the tools they need to excel in the Americas and beyond, the Federal Government has reached air transport agreements with Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. According to officials, the initiative will generate economic growth and employment in Canada and the Americas by providing businesses, travellers and shippers with more flight options and routes to the following destinations: !!! Colombia is one of Canada's largest air transport markets in South America and an important bilateral aviation partner. This first-time...
Porter Airlines has successfully conducted the first biofuel-powered revenue flight in Canada. In the successful conclusion to a test program that was launched in 2010, the airline flew one of its Bombardier Q400 turboprops from its base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Ottawa using a 50/50 blend of biofuel and Jet A1 fuel in one of its engines. The fuel was certified to the new American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D7566/D1655 standard and the biofuel used was derived from the oilseed crops, Camelina sativa (49%) and Brassica carinata (1%). The aircraft's other engine was...
Porter Airlines arrived in America's capital region today with its inaugural flight from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport. Demand for the service has increased steadily since the route was officially announced, resulting in the addition of a fourth daily roundtrip flight, available as of May 14. The flight's arrival was met with a traditional water cannon salute, followed by a welcome reception at Dulles airport....
Delta Air Lines will resume service to three US destinations out of Halifax Stanfield beginning May 26. Delta's schedule to Halifax Stanfield International Airport is as follows: New York (JFK) - May 26 to July 10, seven days a week; New York (La Guardia) - starting July 11, year-round twice-daily service; Detroit, - June 6 to Oct. 31, seven days a week; Atlanta, June 30 to Sept. 1, weekly service on Saturdays....
Air Canada is preparing to resume its full flight schedule today (April 14), following the cancellation of approximately 75 flights yesterday due to illegal job action taken by some of its pilots. Cancelled flights were primarily to and from Toronto, the carrier's main hub, and other Canadian or US destinations. The airline's international flights were not affected. On Friday, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) granted, at Air Canada's request, an order declaring that certain pilots were participating in an illegal strike; ordering ACPA, the pilots' union, to take all reasonable...