Airline News & Updates | Canada's Airline Industry

By Bob Mowat

March 16, 2012

Book Qatar, win Louis Vuitton

When travel agents book their clients on Qatar Airways through Intair, Network or Fun Sun, they will be automatically entered in a draw to win one of three Louis Vuitton prizes. Available across the country, this promotion applies to all Qatar Airways flights booked and issued between March 1 and April 30, 2012, for travel anytime. Each ticket automatically earns the agent a ballot (or five ballots for business class bookings) in the draw where they can win one of three Louis Vuitton travel items û a passport holder, a toiletry pouch, or the grand prize, a Keepall luggage piece. The draw...

By Bob Mowat

March 15, 2012

Fuel hits Transat’s Q1 Results

Transat A.T. Inc. reports that it had revenues of $829.3 million for the quarter ended Jan. 31, 2012, compared with $810.2 million in 2011 -- an increase of $19.1 million, or 2.4%. It had an operating loss of $31.8 million, compared with $14.5 million in 2011 and a net loss of $29.5 million ($0.77 per share on a diluted basis), compared with $13.4 million ($0.35 per share on a diluted basis) in 2011. Before non-operating items, Transat had an adjusted after-tax loss of $29.9 million in 2012 ($0.79 per share on a diluted basis), compared with $19.3 million ($0.51 per share on a diluted basis)...

By TravelPress Staff

March 15, 2012

Etihad, airberlin take partnership to new level

Etihad Airways and airberlin have announced plans to integrate their Boeing 787 Dreamliner programs, affecting a total of 56 firm aircraft - which is more Dreamliners than are on order with any other airline - and saving millions of dollars for both carriers. A combined Etihad Airways-airberlin team, led by Etihad Airways, will oversee the integration program, which will see the two airlines share infrastructure, pool maintenance, develop joint training programs, and streamline purchasing activity for engines, rotables, avionics and inflight entertainment systems, as well as work jointly on...

By TravelPress Staff

March 15, 2012

Have a Ball’ with LOT Polish Airlines

To celebrate Poland being the co-host for the 2012 European Football Championships, LOT Polish Airlines has created a special travel agent promotion called "Have a Ball."To qualify for prizes being given away in March, April and May, agents must register any LOT ticket issued in Canada or the US for any LOT flight at http://www.LOTtravelagents.com . For registering a transatlantic ticket, agents will be entered to win the grand prize. The winner will be notified by June 22. For business class tickets issued, agents receive four entries and two entries for economy class. Agents also receive...

By Bob Mowat

March 14, 2012

Not so Direct, eh?

For the millions of Canadians who head to U.S. border airports to take advantage of cheap flights, there was an unwelcome surprising awaiting them this week. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina-based Direct Air abruptly suspended all of its operations yesterday (March 13), stranding passengers (including Canadians) who were either head for or returning from a March Break vacation. The carrier offers flights to 15 destinations in the U.S., including Florida and South Carolina. On its web site, the airline stated: "Direct Air finds it necessary to suspend flight operation from Tuesday, March 13, 2012...

By TravelPress Staff

March 14, 2012

WestJet updates agents on Secure Flight procedures

WestJet is reminding agents that in order to obtain compliance with US regulations, Secure Flight Passenger Data is required for all WestJet bookings that include a flight arriving or departing from any US or international destination. At this time it is not mandatory to use Secure Flight on WestJet bookings where flights are flown within Canada. When completing a booking through GDS, ticketing may be restricted by GDS or WestJet if Secure Flight Passenger Data is not provided to WestJet using the standard SSR DOCS format. As per Canadian law, all passengers must be notified that information...

By TravelPress Staff

March 13, 2012

Dragonair resumes services to Xi’an and Guilin

Dragonair has announced that it will resume scheduled services to Xi'an and Guilin, further strengthening Hong Kong's position as a global aviation hub and gateway to Mainland China. A four-flights-weekly service to Xi'an will begin from April 1, becoming a daily operation from May 1, while daily Guilin flights commence on May 1. Both routes will be operated using an Airbus A320 aircraft. Dragonair is also increasing frequencies to Ningbo, Qingdao and Okinawa. In addition, an upgrade to an A330-300 aircraft will boost capacity on a number of services, including Kunming and Guangzhou starting...

By TravelPress Staff

March 13, 2012

Korean Air signs interline agreement with Virgin

Korean Air has established a new interline agreement with California-based Virgin America - offering seamless travel on the networks of both carriers across their North American, Asian and South American routes. The agreement allows connecting passengers to purchase interline tickets for travel between the US, Japan, Brazil, South Korea. Both airlines will transfer baggage between connecting flights to passengers' final destinations. The interline partnership offers a new choice for Korean Air passengers to connect at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International...

By TravelPress Staff

March 13, 2012

Finnair set to launch Toronto-Helsinki service

Finnair will begin offering a non-stop flight between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Helsinki Airport five days a week beginning May 24. Fares start from $790 (valid for travel May 24 to June 22). There is a minimum stay of six days. For passengers travelling from Canada, Finnair offers efficient connections via Helsinki....

By TravelPress Staff

March 13, 2012

Porter increases Washington service

Porter Airlines is increasing service to Washington Dulles International Airport, which launches on April 16. A fourth daily roundtrip flight from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will be available as of May 14. A popular destination for both business and leisure travellers, Washington was selected to be Porter's sixth US destination after a passenger survey showed it as a top choice....