Airlines
WestJet, RBC launch WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard for Business
WestJet and RBC have launched the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard for Business -- Canada's first and only business travel credit card that instantly provides primary cardholders with top-tier airline status. This business credit card promptly awards primary cardholders Silver status with WestJet Rewards, offering them the fastest way to earn WestJet points and maximize travel rewards. As the only RBC business travel Mastercard, cardholders will also have access to a unique collection of extensive travel insurances including trip interruption and trip cancellation...
Air Canada asks federal government to intervene as flight cancellations underway
Air Canada has asked the federal government to send to prevent a strike by the airline’s 10,000 flight attendants that would be devastating for both the airline and the Canadian travelling public. Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs, Air Canada, told a media briefing at a Toronto airport hotel that Air Canada is “working really hard to get a deal at the table -- that’s where you get the best deal -- but we’ve hit an impasse.” Meloul-Wechsler continued: “When we hit the impasse we did offer CUPE...
TICO provides information for consumers with upcoming Air Canada Vacations bookings
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is providing information for consumers who booked travel services with Air Canada Vacations (a TICO-registered tour operator) either directly or through a TICO-registered travel retailer (including TICO-registered online booking websites). TICO points out that at this time, as Air Canada flights have yet to be cancelled or impacted, Air Canada Vacations is offering a goodwill policy, which allows consumers with imminent travel to change their plans or receive a future travel voucher. More information can be found at this link. Should...
Air Canada receives strike notice issues lockout notice in response
Air Canada has issued the statutory 72-hour lockout notice to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) -- representing 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge -- after the union provided notice it intends to begin a strike. In order to provide customers certainty, Air Canada will begin a phased wind down of most of its operations to be completed over the next three days. The airline has also sought government-directed arbitration to resolve the situation. Air Canada said that despite eight months of good faith negotiations that included the assistance of...
Cathay Pacific names Cindy Lam as Senior Vice President Americas
Cathay Pacific has appointed Cindy Lam as Senior Vice President, Americas. Starting Sept. 1, 2025, Lam will lead Cathay’s strategic vision and business operations in the region, covering passenger travel, cargo and lifestyle. Lam brings nearly 24 years of distinguished service at Cathay Pacific, having built an exceptional career spanning multiple continents and diverse operational areas. Succeeding Chris Vanden Hooven, who will be retiring, Cindy Lam said: "I am honoured to take on this leadership role for Cathay in the Americas, where Cathay has a long history spanning a...
Air Canada Declares an Impasse in CUPE Negotiations
Air Canada says that negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees -- representing 10,000 Flight Attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge -- have reached an impasse. The parties will be in a position to issue a statutory 72-hour strike or lockout notice at 12:01 am Eastern Time August 13, shutting down the airline as early as August 16. The airline said that it “now believes the talks are at an impasse, after the union submitted a counteroffer seeking exorbitant increases, beyond those presented in earlier submissions, and today rejected an offer by the company to...
Union “respectfully declines” Air Canada proposal for arbitration
In a post on its website, CUPE – the union representing Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights attendants – has acknowledged that it has received a proposal from Air Canada to resolve the current contract negotiations through arbitration and that it has declined to accept the airline’s proposal. Wesley Lesosky President, Air Canada Component of CUPE, said in a written response to Air Canada that: “While we appreciate your acknowledgment of the efforts made at the bargaining table over the past nine months, the Air Canada Component of CUPE firmly believes that the most...
Virgin Atlantic names Dave Hodges as Vice President, Americas
Virgin Atlantic has appointed Dave Hodges as its new Vice President, Americas, effective Oct. 1, 2025. Hodges has been at Virgin Atlantic for 12 years, with roles ranging from government affairs, cabin crew operations, and as Country Manager for India, Virgin Atlantic’s third largest market behind the UK and the US. Currently, he serves as the Head of Heathrow, where he oversees the airline’s operation and presence at its home hub airport. In this cross-functional leadership role, Hodges will be located in Atlanta, overseeing Virgin Atlantic teams across the US, Canada,...