Airlines
Billy Bishop pedestrian tunnel launched
Prime Minister Stephen Harper participated in a ceremony this morning (March 9) launching the construction of a pedestrian tunnel between the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and downtown Toronto. Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and Toronto Port Authority Chairman Mark McQueen also participated in the ceremony. "Our government is committed to building strong, prosperous communities that are engines of economic growth,"said Harper. "The construction of the pedestrian tunnel will create jobs in the Greater Toronto Area and help manage passenger flows to and from the...
Emirates starts Seattle route with Alaska Air partnership
Emirates has launched the first direct air bridge between the Middle East and the Pacific Northwest region, with the start-up of flights between Dubai and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on March 1. Emirates and Alaska Airlines have launched a new frequent flier partnership, and to celebrate the two airlines are offering double miles on each other's flights March 1 to May 31. Travellers connecting between any point on Alaska Airlines' and Emirates' networks can also check in for their flights at either carrier's counter, receive their boarding passes and check their bags to their final...
Raitt sends AC, unions to CIRB
Hear that? That's the huge sigh of relief emanating from the travel agency community across Canada following the news that federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt has referred the increasingly bitter labour negotiations between Air Canada and its 8,600 ground workers and 3,000 pilots to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). Minister Raitt issued the referral -- pursuant to the Canada Labour Code -- in order to determine the activities that Air Canada may be required to maintain as relates to the health and safety of Canadians. The referral to the CIRB means that the IAMAW cannot commence a...
WestJet ready to add flights in case of AC disruptions
In light of unfolding events today, WestJet announced its plan to add extra flights to accommodate passengers that will be otherwise stranded in the event of strike or lockout at Air Canada. "We recognize the travelling public is subject to uncertainty arising from the potential travel disruptions at Air Canada,"said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. "With more than 60,000 seats departing each day, we are letting the public know that our 8,600 WestJetters are ready to welcome more guests on board. WestJet will add extra flights in domestic...
Raitt sends AC, unions to CIRB
Federal labour minister Lisa Raitt has sent Air Canada and its pilots' and ground workers' unions to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to work out the disputes that could have seen Air Canada pilots locked out and ground workers going on strike on March 12. As a result of the minister's referral of the disputes to the CIRB, the IAMAW can't strike and Air Canada can't lockout its...
Feds stop any immediate disruption of Air Canada service
Canada's Minister of Labour, Lisa Raitt, has issued a referral pursuant to the Canada Labour Code, to determine the activities that Air Canada may be required to maintain as relates to the health and safety of Canadians. As a result of this CIRB referral, the IAMAW cannot commence a strike and Air Canada cannot lock out its pilots at least until this matter has been determined by the board. The strike deadline by the IAMAW and Air Canada's lockout notice to ACPA, both originally scheduled for 00:01 am ET on March 12 have therefore no effect. There will therefore be no disruption of service...
AC pilots will vote on AC offer
Air Canada pilots are going to vote on the latest offer from Air Canada, however, their association is recommending that they reject the offer and "send a message to their employer to get serious about negotiations." Captain Paul Strachan, president of the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA), said in a statement that: "The corporation pulled a dramatic u-turn yesterday [March 7] on the first day of our return to bargaining. After committing to a federal mediation process that was to last up to 180 days, the corporation instead chose to table what it termed its 'final' offer only 23 days into...
Air Canada set to lock out pilots
Air Canada has given notice that it will lock out its pilots effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 12, pursuant to the Canada Labour Code. According to officials, the airline tabled its "final and best offer"to ACPA yesterday, the union representing its pilots in order to bring finality to a set of negotiations that began 18 months ago and bring stability for its customers. The proposal expired at noon today, and as it was not accepted by ACPA by that time, Air Canada issued the notice. "We need to bring closure to the ongoing climate of labour uncertainty at Air Canada which is affecting our...