Airlines

IATA hits a positive note

IATA reports that 2011 ended on a positive note with passenger demand for the full year rising by 5.9% compared to 2010, and in line with long-term growth trends. However, growth in demand lagged behind passenger capacity increases at 6.3% and that put downward pressure on load factors. The average passenger load factor for 2011 was 78.1%, down from 78.3% in 2010. Tony Tyler, director general and CEO for IATA, commented: "Given the weak conditions in Western economies the passenger market held up well in 2011. But overall 2011 was a year of contrasts. Healthy passenger growth, primarily in...

WestJet unveils service to Kingston, Jamaica and Aruba

WestJet has unveiled details of its summer schedule for 2012, which features two new sun destinations and the expansion of service from seasonal to year-round on four popular winter routes. WestJet will launch non-stop service between Toronto and Kingston, Jamaica, three times per week on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays starting April 30. On May 6, non-stop weekly service on Sundays between Aruba and Toronto will begin. Full schedule details and introductory one-way fares from $149 to Kingston and $189 to Aruba (plus applicable taxes and fees) are available by visiting http://www.westjet.com ....

Etihad offers complimentary tourist visas

Etihad Airways is offering complimentary 96-hour tourist visas to guests transiting through the UAE, effective immediately. The visas, ideal for travellers making stopover visits en route to their final destination, are being offered in co-operation with Radisson Blu hotel on Yas Island. The offer is valid for travellers previously eligible for Etihad Airways' paid-for visa service (available at a cost of AED 300), including passport holders from Bangladesh, Belarus, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan,...

United rolls out Economy Plus on long-haul flights

United Airlines reports is now offering Economy Plus seating on all long-haul international Boeing 757-200 flights, offering economy customers the option of six inches of extra legroom. With the reconfiguration, the aircraft have 16 flat-bed seats in Business First, 45 seats in Economy Plus and 108 in Economy. The 757-200 reconfiguration project, which began in late November, outfits those aircraft with 1,845 Economy Plus seats. The 41 aircraft principally operate between New York/Newark and Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Berlin, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, Glasgow,...

WestJet off to Whitehorse

WestJet will launch daily, non-stop service between Vancouver and Whitehorse, Yukon, beginning May 17. The announcement follows the release of schedule details for new service to Kingston, Jamaica, and Aruba. Full schedule details and introductory one-way fares from $99 (plus applicable taxes and fees) are available by visiting http://www.westjet.com...

Billy Bishop passengers can now get lunch ‘To Go’

Passengers at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport can now enjoy a range of food options on sale in each lounge as the result of a new partnership between City Centre Terminal Corp., a subsidiary of Porter Aviation Holdings Inc., and To Go Foodbar, an independent café and coffee bar in Toronto. The concession stands offer an assortment of sandwiches, salads and bakery items, as well as a range of beverage options, including beer and wine. "Part of our commitment to exceptional customer service means constantly listening to our passengers, and the desire for additional food and beverage...

Lufthansa expands automatic check-in services

Lufthansa is expanding its automatic check-in service and now offering this perk on approximately 400 routes within the Schengen Area -- an area comprised of 26 European countries that operate much like a single state for international travel. The service, which already exists in Germany and Italy, has proven popular because of the time savings and convenience it offers passengers. Passengers with an existing booking are automatically checked in 23 hours prior to their departure and will receive an electronic boarding pass with their reserved seat number shortly after, which they can choose...

YVR maps out 10-year airport strategy

Vancouver Airport Authority has unveiled a 10-year strategy outlining $1.8 billion in improvements designed to keep Vancouver International Airport (YVR) competitive and an economic generator for British Columbia. "YVR is facing increasing competition from other airports; both travellers and airlines have choices,"said Larry Berg, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "In order to remain competitive and an airport that British Columbia can be proud of, we must continue to invest in projects that make it easier and faster for passengers and their baggage to move through the...