Airlines
Air Transat teams up with VIA Rail
Air Transat and VIA Rail Canada they have formed an intermodal partnership, enabling travellers to take advantage of both rail and air services when travelling between their home, the airport and their vacation destination. As a result, Air Transat and VIA Rail have streamlined their service schedules to encourage the purchase of tickets combining both modes of transportation. Customers are invited to book both their international flight as well as their train ticket (connecting them to the airport) online. To facilitate the shopping process, a dedicated page has been created on Air Transat's...
Vanstone picked for AC government affairs post
Air Canada has appointed Derek Vanstone as vice-president, Corporate Strategy, Industry and Government Affairs, effective Sept. 10. Vanstone, currently Deputy Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, was Chief of Staff to the federal Minister of Finance from 2007 to 2010. He previously practiced law in Toronto with Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP. In addition to his role in helping shape corporate strategy and direction, Vanstone will have overall responsibility for federal, provincial, municipal and community relations as well as industry affairs. This appointment is subject to the approval of...
Island Air enhances inter-island service
Island Air has unveiled a new business model featuring a complete image and brand overhaul. The new brand coincides with the arrival of the airline's new common fleet type, the ATR in August. The comprehensive rebranding touches every aspect of the airline -- from an enhanced web site to a newly inspired aircraft livery design, including a new logo mark and identity. Along with the new look, Island Air is upgrading its fleet with ATR42 and ATR72 aircraft. The new aircraft are more fuel efficient, and carry more passengers than the Dash 8 aircraft that are being replaced. The changes and...
Travelport, AC unveil enhanced Travelport Agencia
Travelport, the business services provider operating the Apollo, Galileo and Worldspan global distribution systems (GDS) reports that it has launched an enhanced version of Travelport Agencia in Canada. An advanced, web-based application, Travelport Agencia is the only travel agency desktop tool that allows agents to shop, book and modify Air Canada's full content and travel options along with global airline content from the Apollo GDS. The new release offers many new capabilities, including automatic PNR creation with enhanced finishing in the Apollo system, the ability to do multi-city...
United Continental pilots vote to strike
After two years of talks, pilots at United Continental Holdings have voted to authorize a strike. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents pilots for what were United and Continental Airlines before the two merged in 2010, reports 99% of the voters supported a withdrawal of services, if required. Pilots from United and Continental have been working without new contracts since agreeing to concessions in the airline industry's financial traumas last decade, during which United went into bankruptcy and Continental underwent cost-cutting measures. ALPA represents 7,600 pilots at...
Air Transat named World’s Best Leisure Airline
Air Transat was named World's Best Leisure Airline at the Skytrax annual World Airline Awards, held July 12 at the Farnborough International Airshow near London. Awards were presented based on a survey measuring the satisfaction of more than 18 million travellers. Conducted over a 10-month period, the survey included more than 200 airlines that were rated on 38 different aspects of the passenger experience - from check-in to boarding, onboard seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food and beverage, onboard entertainment and staff...
Transat Holidays has new consolidator air program
Transat Holidays has launched a new program offering consolidator flights worldwide to support its cruise program. The new program is being offered in conjunction with cruise line partners Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Louis Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Pullmantur, Royal Caribbean International, Star Clippers and Uniworld River Cruises. Consolidator flights will be provided by more than 60 airlines such as Air China, Austrian Airlines, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Finnair, Etihad,...
Continental flight attendants ratify agreement
United Airlines reports that flight attendants from its Continental subsidiary, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), have ratified a new labour agreement. The new agreement covers approximately 9,000 United flight attendants at the company's Continental subsidiary located throughout the United States. The company and the AFA will soon commence negotiations for a joint collective bargaining agreement for flight attendants at United, Continental and Continental Micronesia. Flight attendants from the company's United subsidiary ratified a new four-year contract in February....