Airlines
Air Canada launches new Billy Bishop, Chicago O’Hare service
The Chicago Department of Aviation and Air Canada celebrated the launch of the carrier’s first-ever route from O’Hare International Airport to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport yesterday. CDA Commissioner Michael J. McMurray said: “On behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the entire City of Chicago, I’m honoured to welcome the historic launch of O’Hare’s first-ever service to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. This new service underscores O’Hare’s world-class connectivity and provides a convenient, nonstop link for Chicagoans to access the heart of Canada’s most...
BermudAir takes off from Toronto to Turks and Caicos
BermudAir is taking off with weekly nonstop service from Toronto to Turks and Caicos Islands, with continuing service to Anguilla, beginning this winter. Flights will go on sale on June 5. The new route will connect Canadian travellers to "two of the Caribbean’s most sought-after luxury destinations, celebrated for their pristine beaches, boutique resorts, world-class hospitality, and exclusive island atmosphere," the airline says. The seasonal routes will operate on Saturdays from Dec. 19 through May 1, 2027. Flights -- which are subject to government approval -- will depart...
Flair names Captain Matthew Kunz as Chief Operating Officer
Flair Airlines has named Captain Matthew Kunz as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Len Corrado, CEO of Flair Airlines, said: “Matthew has been with Flair Airlines for more than eight years and has played a key role in our growth. He is a respected leader with an unwavering commitment to operational excellence. As we continue to grow, Captain Kunz's leadership will help ensure we remain focused on delivering for our customers and connecting Canadians to the people and moments that matter most.” During his tenure, Captain Matthew Kunz has served in several senior leadership...
Turkish Airlines expands its Canadian network
Turkish Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its Canadian operations starting in July 2026. Türkiye’s flag carrier will add additional frequencies on its routes connecting Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Istanbul Airport (IST), offering Canadian travellers more options than ever to reach Türkiye and beyond through its unparalleled network. With the new schedule additions, Turkish Airlines will offer 7 weekly flights from Toronto (YYZ), 4 weekly flights from...
Air Transat adds new Montreal-Istanbul non-stop
Air Transat is launching a new non-stop route between Montreal (YUL) and Istanbul (IST) that begins Oct. 29, 2026. Operated year-round on an Airbus A330, the service will run twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sebastian Ponce, Chief Revenue Officer at Transat, said that: “Expanding our program from our hometown is great news for Quebecers and the local business community.” And Ponce continued: “Through our partnership with Turkish Airlines, Istanbul becomes much more than a destination, it’s a gateway to one of the most diverse global networks, spanning the Middle...
“You are important to us:” WestJet celebrates advisors at second annual Agency Summit
Over the past 30 years, WestJet has grown significantly from three aircraft and five destinations to expanding into transatlantic routes and adding service to the likes Cardiff and São Paulo, as well as incorporating Dreamliners into its fleet. While a lot has changed, Andrei Losinski, Account Manager, Agency Sales, told a packed room yesterday at its second annual Agency Summit in Toronto that one thing that hasn’t changed is its focus on people, including travel advisors. “We’re flying from Tokyo to Calgary. We’ve come a long way and a lot has changed, but while a lot...
Middle East War leads to 3.4% drop in April air passenger demand
New data released by IATA indicates that the war in the Middle East has caused a 3.4% drop in global passenger demand in April 2026. IATA’s data shows that: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was down -3.4% compared to April 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand increased by 1.2%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), decreased -2.9% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.1% (-0.4 ppt compared to April 2025). International demand fell -5.3% compared to April 2025. Excluding Middle East, demand grew by 1.9%. Capacity was down...
WestJet Airlines President Diederik Pen announces plans to retire
WestJet has announced the planned retirement of WestJet Group Executive Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President of WestJet Airlines Diederik Pen. Timing is dependent on onboarding his successor, but is anticipated for the first quarter of 2027, at the latest. Until then, he will stay fully in charge of overseeing the airline and leading operations teams. A global search for his successor is underway and Pen is actively involved in the search process and will be supporting a seamless transition. Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group CEO,...