IATA reports that global traffic results for September showed a continued slowdown in the rate of traffic growth. Demand for passenger traffic was 4.1% above the level of September 2011. For air cargo, demand growth was even weaker at 0.6%. The growth trend in air travel started to flatten in the second quarter, with no growth in the passenger market between April and August. The year-on-year comparisons are now also starting to show slower rates of growth. In September, passenger travel increased 4.1% on a year ago, down on the 5.3% year-on-year growth rate in August and well below the 6%...
Acxsys Corporation and Air Canada teamed up to allow travellers to now purchase tickets and services online for AC using Interac Online. Interac Online allows consumers to shop easily and securely for products and services over the Internet, using funds withdrawn directly from their bank accounts. Canadians who have access to Interac Online through their financial institution can pay using Interac Online when they visit Air Canada's website -- http://www.aircanada.com . Interac Online is currently available as a payment option on http://www.aircanada.com to customers of BMO Bank of Montreal,...
Credit where credit is due. Air New Zealand keeps finding ways to make some of the basic elements of air travel a little more interesting. Consider its new onboard safety video, "An Unexpected Briefing," that features hobbits, dwarves and wizards. If you're wondering where that came from, it's been inspired by the upcoming release of the new movie fantasy adventure, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The movie is produced by New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), and is the first in a trilogy of films from director and Kiwi Sir Peter Jackson. The video has been created in...
There will be a lot of new faces when the 2012 World Travel Market gets underway in London (Nov. 5 to Nov. 8, 2012) next week. WTM officials report that the show, now in its 33rd year of operation, will welcome 157 new exhibitors. The list of new exhibitors includes tourist boards, technology companies, hotel chains, attractions and tour operators who will all be hosting their own stands for the first time at the show's ExCeL - London venue. Europe leads the way in new exhibitors with a massive 41 exhibitors making their debut as Main Stand Holders. They include tourism boards and offices...
Sabre and American Airlines have settled their disputes and have renewed their current distribution agreement for multiple years. American has also agreed to negotiate with Sabre for additional technology services in the future. As part of the settlement, American will receive a monetary payment from Sabre. American will continue pursuing its direct connect initiative. Additional information will be announced at a later date. Terms of the settlement and distribution agreements require review and approval by the court presiding over AMR Corporation's restructuring procedures. Go to...
WestJet has announced that Calgary will be home to WestJet Encore's headquarters. According to officials, the decision was made after a thorough review of various airports and a variety of factors. With consideration to the operational needs of WestJet Encore during its initial launch phase and as it grows to full maturity, Calgary was determined to be the best fit for the airline and its people. WestJet and the Calgary Airport Authority will conduct a joint study to determine the exact location of an anticipated 40,000-square-foot maintenance facility and office space. Its specific location...
South African Airways (SAA) has resumed its operations out of the US, with its flights operating normally from both New York (JFK) and Washington (IAD). The carrier obtained approval from airport authorities in New York to recommence its service today (Oct. 31) from JFK to Johannesburg and will follow its usual schedule. Tlali Tlali, SAA's group corporate affairs executive, noted that "onward connecting flights beyond JFK are still not fully restored to normal operations. In addition, passengers are advised that ground transportation and underground rail systems in New York are not yet...
Qatar Airways is the only five-star airline providing daily flights from Montreal to Doha. From Doha, passengers can connect seamlessly to destinations across the Middle East, India, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia. Win two roundtrip tickets anywhere within Qatar Airways' network of more than 100 destinations worldwide. Simply submit your roundtrip ticket sales on Qatar Airways originating in Montreal between Oct. 15 and Nov. 30 at http://promo.baxter.net/contest/Qatar.asp . The contest closes Nov. 30 and is open to Canadian travel agents who are authorized Qatar Airways...
ASTA has welcomed the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Advisory Committee on Aviation Consumer Protection's (ACACP) recently-issued report to the Secretary of Transportation, but pledges to continue its efforts to ensure that an upcoming DOT rulemaking provides consumers and travel agents full access to airline ancillary fees and services. Nina Meyer, president and chief executive officer of ASTA, commented: "ASTA has long advocated on behalf of its members for transparency and transactability in airline ancillary fees, including testimony before this committee, and as such is pleased...
WestJet has launched non-stop seasonal service to three new sun destinations, and will add a fourth in mid-November. Yesterday (Oct. 28), WestJet inaugurated twice-weekly service between Toronto Pearson and Antigua and Barbuda's V.C. Bird International Airport, as well as weekly service to Curaçao. Today, WestJet commences twice-weekly non-stop seasonal service to Liberia, Costa Rica, and on Nov. 16 will add daily non-stop seasonal service between Toronto Pearson and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. WestJet Vacations offers vacation packages to Antigua and Barbuda, as well as to Costa...