Airlines
Travelport, WestJet confirm long-term content deal
Travelport and WestJet have signed a new long-term content distribution deal. This renewed partnership between Travelport and WestJet will pave the way for WestJet to improve its retailing capabilities, as both companies start to collaborate on the future delivery of New Distribution Capability (NDC) content and servicing. Jorge Rozo, vice-president of pricing, revenue and distribution at WestJet, said: “This is an exciting time for travel distribution and Travelport’s ability to help agencies operate as modern retailers aligns with the value proposition across our wide range...
Avianca changes its age rules for younger travellers
Avianca is changing its policy on carrying passengers 14 years of age or younger. As of today (May 15, 2024) the airline will only carry passengers 14 years of age or younger if they are accompanied by their parents or a responsible and duly authorized adult over 18 years old. The change applies on Avianca’s domestic and international flights, ticket sales and the boarding of passengers. If tickets were purchased before May 15, 2024, passengers will board after approaching the airport counter to complete their check-in process. With the implementation of this policy, Avianca...
Survey reveals industry reducing baggage mishandling
In a new progress report on the implementation of baggage tracking, IATA reports that the industry is making progress. Focused on IATA Resolution 753, which requires tracking baggage at acceptance, loading, transfer and arrival, the survey of 155 airlines and 94 airports reveals that: 44% of airlines have fully implemented Resolution 753 and a further 41% are in progress Regional variation in airline full adoption rates vary from 88% in China and North Asia, to 60% in the Americas, 40% in Europe and Asia-Pacific, and 27% in Africa 75% of airports surveyed have the capability...
GTAA reveals passenger activity up by 8.7% in Q1 results
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority has reported its financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2024. Passenger activity increased by 0.9 million, or 8.7 per cent, from 10.0 million to 10.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, when compared to the same period of 2023, due to strong travel demand. During the first quarter of 2024, passenger activity recovered to 92.3 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2019 passenger activity. "Toronto Pearson International Airport's first quarter was one of strong passenger growth, enabled by improving sector resiliency. Our...
WestJet Group boost winter 787 sked from Calgary
The WestJet Group is making significant enhancements to its transoceanic and leisure travel offering with its winter 787 schedule, revealing expanded year-round service between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) and an increase to daily connectivity between Calgary and Paris Charles-de-Gaulle International (CDG) and London Heathrow International (LHR) Airports. As The WestJet Group continues to fortify its position as Canada's leisure travel champion, the airline is also enhancing its 787 presence on popular leisure routes with service...
WestJet Encore pilots reject tentative deal
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) – the union that represents WestJet Encore pilots – has announced that its membership did not ratify the tentative agreement that was reached on April 8, 2024. The results of the ratification do not impact operations, WestJet said. In a statement, Diederik Pen, president of WestJet Airlines and Group chief operating officer, said: “We are disappointed to learn that our WestJet Encore pilots have rejected an agreement that is distinctly competitive within Canada's airline industry and solutioned their unique concerns.” Pen...
ITA Airways debuts in Canada with non-stop from Toronto to Rome
ITA Airways has made its debut in the Canadian market with the launch of its new nonstop connection between Toronto and Rome. The inaugural flight took off on May 10 from Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport at 4:40 pm. To celebrate the launch of the new intercontinental route, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the departure gate of Terminal 1 in Toronto Airport in the presence of Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer ITA Airways and CEO of Volare, Luca Zelioli, Consul General of Italy, Ivana Jelinic, CEO of the Italian National Tourist Board ENIT, Gianluca Caramanna,...
Porter suspends Porter Escapes brand, plans new approach to packages
Porter Airlines is suspending the Porter Escapes brand. As a result, the company said that: “No new packages are being sold through this channel, but all trips currently booked for future travel will be honoured.” In a statement, Porter said that it is “refocusing vacation packages on sun destinations that Canadians traditionally visit in locations such as Mexico and the Caribbean.” It noted that those vacation packages “will become available at a later date in conjunction with Porter flights, although no specific timeline is confirmed.” The company also said that...