Airline News & Updates | Canada's Airline Industry

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....

By TravelPress Staff

March 12, 2012

LOT increases Toronto-Warsaw service

LOT Polish Airlines has added five additional flights between Toronto and Warsaw. Double daily flights will operate on the following days: June 15 and 29, Aug. 3, and Sept. 7 and 21. From Warsaw, LOT offers connections within Poland, as well as to many other destinations across Europe, including Belgrade, Budapest, Prague, Kiev, Lviv, Odessa and Minsk. The additional frequencies will be operated by Aerosvit 2 cabin aircraft featuring business and economy class. The business class cabin offers fully lie-flat beds and all seats throughout the aircraft are equipped with individual seat-back...

By TravelPress Staff

March 12, 2012

Lufthansa adds new destinations for summer 2012

Lufthansa has unveiled its summer 2012 schedule, further increasing its flight offerings, particularly from Berlin to seasonal holiday destinations in Europe. In the long-haul sector, two new destinations will be added to Lufthansa's network in China. Lufthansa will operate flights to 216 destinations in 83 countries this summer (compared to 211 destinations in 84 countries in 2011). The summer timetable is effective from March 25 until Oct. 27. The opening of Germany's largest airport - Berlin Brandenburg (BER) - on June 3 will mark a new chapter for Lufthansa. From that date, the airline...

By TravelPress Staff

March 12, 2012

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...

By TravelPress Staff

March 12, 2012

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...