Airlines
WestJet launches Aruba flights
Aruba has become WestJet's 30th sun destination with the launch of non-stop, seasonal flight from Toronto's Pearson International airport today. John MacLeod, vice-president, network management and alliances for WestJet, commented: "Without a doubt, Aruba is one of the most beautiful and culturally fascinating islands in the Caribbean. With an average daily temperature of about 30 degrees, clear skies and cooling trade winds, the climate is perfect for a vacation at any time of the year. Aruba is our 30th sun destination available to Canadians on a non-stop basis from Toronto Pearson -...
Easy way to explore the Middle East
Emirates is launching the the Arabian Airpass that features flights priced from US$60. This special offer features business class fares from US$175 and first class fares from US$245. Using Dubai as its base, the Arabian Airpass offers savings on flights to Tehran (IKA), Beirut (BEY), Damascus (DAM), Amman (AMM), Kuwait City (KWI), Dammam (DMM), Bahrain (BAH), Doha (DOH), Muscat (MCT), Sana'a (SAH), Riyadh (RHU) and Cairo (CAI). No minimum stay is required. To take advantage of the program, travellers simply purchase airfare beyond Dubai in conjunction with their international ticket. For...
AC battles challenges in Q1
Air Canada reported earnings -- before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment, and aircraft rent (EBITDAR) -- of $175 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to EBITDAR of $207 million in the first quarter of 2011. The carrier indicated that its EBITDAR of $175 million was in line with the range of $170 million to $180 million projected in the airline's news release dated April 26, 2012. AC reported an operating loss of $93 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to an operating loss of $66 million in the first quarter of 2011. AC's president and CEO, Calin...
Air Canada launches JFK service
With the launch of its service to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport from Toronto (inaugurated today, May 3), Air Canada becomes the only Canadian airline serving all three of the Big Apple's major airports. With the new route, existing service to Newark Liberty International Airport and an additional daily flight between Toronto and LaGuardia Airport that began May 1 to bring that service to hourly, Air Canada will now operate up to 38 non-stop return flights a day between Canada and New York City this summer. "New York is a popular destination and Air Canada is very pleased to...
Emirates celebrates stopover anniversary
Emirates is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Dubai Stopover program out of Canada. The carrier reports that in its first year in market, the hotel and sightseeing package has exceeded sales targets by an average of 50% across Canada, with particularly strong growth from western Canada. Commenting on the success of the program, Emirates' manager Canada, Don McWilliam said: "Canadians appreciate a one-stop package that offers a wide range of accommodations, UAE visa support and first class service on the ground and in flight." For Canadians, the Dubai Stopover program offers hotel...
WestJet reports record April loads
WestJet reports that its load factors in April reached record levels. The carrier's load factor hit 86.2%, with its revenue passenger miles growing by 8.2% year over year. Capacity -- measured in available seat miles (ASMs) -- was up by 5% over the same period. Compared to April 2011, WestJet handled over 120,000 more passengers in April 2012, hitting a total of 1.48 million passengers for the month. Noting that the new load factor record is 2.2 points higher than the previous record of 84%, WestJet president and CEO, Gregg Saretsky commented: "The demand environment remains strong and we are...
Minister names arbitrators for AC negotiations
Air Canada reports that it has been advised by Labour minister, Lisa Raitt that she has appointed arbitrators in accordance with Bill C-33, Protecting Air Service Act. Raitt has named Douglas Stanley to act as arbitrator between Air Canada and the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA), which represents the airline's 3,000 pilots. Michel Picher has been appointed by Raitt to act as arbitrator between Air Canada and the IAMAW, which represents the carrier's 8,600 mechanics, baggage handlers and cargo agents. Both appointments take effect immediately. On April 19, 2012, Air Canada announced it...
Oil prices hurting demand
IATA reports that global traffic results for March show that total passenger demand grew by 7.6% compared to the same month in 2011. However, the airline industry association points out that comparisons with March last year are affected by events that depressed passenger demand in 2011, including the Arab Spring, which disrupted travel in the Middle East and North Africa beginning in February 2011 and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011 that impacted air travel across the Asia-Pacific region. IATA estimates that the year-on-year rise in air travel in March was about two...