Airlines
Emirates picks new SVP
Emirates has named Orhan Abbas as its new senior vice-president to head up its commercial operations for the Americas. Abbas was previously vice-president for India and Nepal, overseeing a period of sustained expansion which saw the airline more than double the number of services to the sub-continent in just four years. He has worked for Emirates since 1998, having also held senior commercial positions in Tanzania, South Africa and the Middle East. He has a degree in Business Administration from New York Regents College, Albany, New York. Commenting on his appointment, Abbas said: "The...
Winair takes off to St. Kitts
Winair is recommencing its scheduled flights between St. Maarten and St. Kitts & Nevis on Oct. 29, 2012. The announcement was made by St. Kitts & Nevis Minister of Tourism & International Transport, Senator Ricky Skerritt, following a recent visit by a three-man delegation from Winair headed by Michael Cleaver, president and CEO of the carrier. Minister Skerritt said Winair's 19-seat, twin engine aircraft will conveniently connect St. Kitts with key incoming international flights to St. Maarten from Europe and North America, and will reintroduce a domestic air service between Nevis and St....
WestJet’s just giving it away
WestJet has revealed the details of the million WestJet dollars giveaway, the airline's first-ever reward program contest for Canadians. The contest, which began Sept. 10, 2012 and continues to Oct. 7, 2012, gives WestJet guests the opportunity to join the airline's loyalty program, WestJet Rewards, and win their share of one million WestJet dollars. By visiting http://www.westjetgiveaway.com , Canadians can enter to win one of five daily prizes of $5,000 WestJet dollars. Guest can also enter to win additional daily prizes of $1,000 WestJet dollars by playing an interactive "Search for the...
Air Canada reports record August load factor
For the month of August, Air Canada reported a record system load factor of 87.9%, versus 87.8% in August 2011. System traffic increased 0.7% on a system-wide capacity increase of 0.6%. Air Canada reports traffic results on a system-wide basis, including regional airlines from which Air Canada purchases capacity. "For the month of August, Air Canada reported an all-time record load factor of 87.9%,"said Air Canada president Calin Rovinescu. "This record load factor result for the month underscores our disciplined capacity management... Led by increases in traffic in the Australia, Caribbean,...
Emirates, Qantas launch global partnership
Emirates and Qantas have introduced a new global aviation partnership designed to give travellers "a seamless international and Australian network, exclusive frequent flyer benefits and world class travel experiences."Under the agreement signed by Emirates president Tim Clark and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, Qantas will move its hub for European flights from Singapore to Dubai and enter an extensive commercial relationship with Emirates. The 10-year codesharing partnership is enhanced by integrated network collaboration with co-ordinated pricing, sales and scheduling, as well as a benefits sharing...
WestJet, Porter post record numbers for August
WestJet reports August 2012 traffic results with an all-time record load factor of 88.9%. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 9.2% year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 2.3% over the same period. The airline flew nearly 172,000 more guests this August compared to August of last year. "We are extremely pleased to report the highest single-month load factor in WestJet history,"commented WestJet president and CEO Gregg Saretsky. "The demand environment remains strong and we are seeing a growing contribution from our airline codeshares and...
LAN soars with new 787 Dreamliner
LAN Airlines has become the first airline in the Americas to receive the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. LAN will receive 32 of the new aircraft over the next 10 years, with the first three to be delivered this year. The US$4.9-billion order represents one of the largest investments in the airline's history. The first cities served by the LAN fleet of 787s are Santiago, Buenos Aires, Lima, Los Angeles, Madrid and Frankfurt. The aircraft will begin to fly commercially over the next few months, and those cities will be added gradually during its first year of operation. One of the new features offered...
United’s Dreamliner to start service domestically
United Airlines has announced plans to fly its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on domestic routes starting in November as it prepares to begin previously announced international service in December and January. United expects to take delivery of the first five new Dreamliners this year from its total order for 50 of these aircraft. As the initial aircraft are inducted into the fleet, they will be based at United's Houston hub, with scheduled service phased in between Houston and each of its other domestic hubs beginning Nov. 4. The schedule allows United's 787s to operate more than 470...