Airlines
ITA Airways Joins Star Alliance
ITA Airways is the newest member of Star Alliance. That announcement marks the completion of the Italian carrier’s integration into the world’s largest airline alliance. ITA Airways marked its entry into the Alliance during a ceremony held at the Piazza di Spagna Lounge, Rome Fiumicino Airport Terminal 3. The ceremony was presided over by ITA Airways Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Joerg Eberhart, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias, and Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx. Starting April 1, ITA Airways will be fully...
Air France taking off in the summer of 2026
Air France will be operating up to 60 flights per week at the peak of the summer season out of Canada -- representing one additional flight compared to summer 2025. The increased capacity is made possible by the introduction of a fourth weekly frequency between Quebec City and Paris, which will operate from June 18 to Oct. 6. Weekly flights in peak summer season include Montréal (28). Québec (4). Toronto (14). Ottawa (7). Vancouver (7). Globally, Air France’s 2026 summer schedule will see increased capacity on long-haul routes, continued expansion of service to Asia, and a...
Finnair ready to take off with Toronto-Helsinki flights in May
Finnair will be taking off with service from Canada with the launch of a direct connection between Toronto and Helsinki beginning on May 4, 2026. This new transatlantic flight arrives at the perfect time, as Canadian travellers look to new summer experiences and horizons. Finland offers unique experiences, from outdoor activities to the Midnight sun and the undiscovered Nordic capital, Helsinki. Here’s what you need to know: Begins May 4, 2026, linking Toronto and Helsinki Thrice-weekly operation: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday First time Finnair has flown to Canada...
KLM Marks 40 Years of Direct Service Between Vancouver and Amsterdam
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its service connecting Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). The Vancouver–Amsterdam route was launched in 1986; a year that saw Vancouver host the World Exposition on Transportation and Communication – Expo 86. The service began with three weekly DC-10 flights, one of which included a stopover in Calgary until 1996. The launch of this route was meaningful for the many people of Dutch origin living in Western Canada, offering a new way to stay connected with their heritage and...
Virgin Atlantic takes off with network changes for summer 2026
Virgin Atlantic is taking off with updates to its Summer 2026 network as it responds to customer demand. The airline will continue its expansion in India, increasing services to Bengaluru from seven to 13 flights per week, supporting strong connectivity for Canadian and US customers connecting via London Heathrow. This complements double-daily, year-round services to both Mumbai and Delhi. Capacity to Mumbai will also increase, with the VS358/359 operating on an A350 aircraft, adding 30% more seats. As demand returns between the UK and Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa,...
Porter names Carlo Rinaldi as Director, Quebec Market Development
Porter Airlines has named Carlo Rinaldi as Director, Quebec Market Development, and he will lead the company’s commercial presence in the province. Based in Montreal, Rinaldi will drive Porter’s market development strategy, with a focus on growing corporate travel, expanding agency partnerships, and deepening engagement across the travel trade and corporate sectors. He brings over 20 years of experience in enterprise sales, business development and travel industry partnerships, including 10 years at Porter earlier in his career. Commenting on his appointment, Rinaldi said:...
IATA reports air passenger demand grew in February
IATA is reporting that air passenger demand grew by 6.1% in February. Highlights of its newly released data include: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 6.1% compared to February 2025. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 5.6% year-on-year. The load factor was 81.4% (+0.3 ppt compared to February 2025), the highest February figure on record. International demand rose 5.9% compared to February 2025. Capacity was up 5.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.5% (+0.5 ppt compared to February 2025). Domestic...
The Air Canada Foundation names Louise-Hélène Sénécal as its new Chair and Board Director
The Air Canada Foundation has announced new officers and new members to its Board of Directors. Priscille Leblanc, who has held the position of Chair of the Foundation since its inception in 2012, has elected to retire. Louise-Hélène Sénécal, who recently retired from Air Canada as Vice President and General Counsel and has been a member of the Board of Directors and Corporate Secretary of the Air Canada Foundation, will be the new Chair. Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada, said: “I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Priscille...