Airlines
Air Canada goes all-inclusive, puts world on sale
To mark the kick off of its 75th anniversary celebrations, Air Canada has not only launched a worldwide seat sale, it has also introduced a new, all-inclusive pricing approach to advertising that's designed to make it easier for customers to shop, compare and determine the final cost of air travel. Beginning today, Air Canada is adopting a new all-inclusive price display for its http://www.aircanada.com web site, webSaver e-mails, online third party advertisements and print advertising. The approach uses a prominently displayed final price accompanied by a breakdown of the base fare and total...
WestJet posts big gains, regional plan moves ahead
WestJet has reported both its fourth quarter and year-end results for 2011, turning in fourth quarter net earnings of $35.6 million, or $0.26 per share and full-year net earnings of $148.7 million, or $1.06 per share; that's up significantly from the net earnings of $90.2 million, or $0.62 per share, reported for 2010. WestJet's operating cash flow per share for the full-year 2011 was $3.60, an increase of 25% compared to last year. Not surprisingly, the carriers is "very pleased" with its results, with WestJet president and CEO, Gregg Saretsky observing, "We managed to cover the elevated...
Air Berlin set to join oneworld alliance
Air Berlin will become a full member of oneworld as of March 20, adding Europe's sixth largest carrier to the global airline alliance. Austrian airline NIKI, also a member of the airberlin group, will join oneworld at the same time as an affiliate member. Air Berlin received its green light to board oneworld after successfully completing a thorough review of its readiness conducted by British Airways, which is sponsoring its entry into the alliance, with the oneworld central team. As of March 20, it will be offering oneworld's full range of services -- and substantially expand the alliance's...
WestJet adds Chicago to network
WestJet will launch daily non-stop service between Chicago and Vancouver and between Chicago and Calgary, beginning May 14, subject to government approval. While WestJet will fly these routes with its own Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft, the airline will continue to market non-stop service from Chicago to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal on partner airline American Airlines' codeshare flights. Introductory one-way fares start at $149 from Calgary and $169 from Vancouver, plus applicable taxes and fees....
Kingfisher’s oneworld entry on hold
India's Kingfisher Airlines and oneworld have agreed to put the airline's entry into the alliance on hold to give it time to strengthen its financial position. Its implementation into oneworld had been planned for Feb. 10. According to oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby, "These are turbulent times for the airline industry in India and many other parts of the world. We have been working closely with Kingfisher Airlines over the past months and it has become increasingly clear recently that the airline needs more time to resolve the financial issues it is confronting before it can be welcomed into...
WestJet has strong start to 2012
WestJet has reported January 2012 traffic results with a record load factor of 79.9%. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 11.5% year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 8.6% over the same period. "We are very happy with this strong start to 2012 and the new record January load factor. Our capacity increases are being nicely absorbed and the healthy demand for air travel has continued into the new year,"says WestJet president Gregg Saretsky. Other 2012 highlights include a new codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines and a summer schedule...
Etihad continues Africa expansion
Etihad Airways has announced the launch of flights to Lagos, the airline's first destination in West Africa, from July 1, subject to regulatory approvals. The direct flights will link Abu Dhabi and Lagos six times a week and will be operated by a two class A330-200 aircraft with 22 Pearl Business class and 240 Coral Economy seats. Lagos becomes the 83rd destination in Etihad Airways' global network and the return flights will create a new link between Nigeria, Africa's third largest economy, and the United Arab Emirates. Following the launch of services to the Seychelles in November, Tripoli...
Malev shuts down, oneworld offers help
Late last week, Malev Hungarian Airlines shut down all of its services. At that time, the carrier issued a statement advising that: "According to the government regulation which entered into force on Jan. 31, 2012, assistance can be provided to those passengers who purchased their valid tickets before Malev ceased and whose travel dates are on the suspension day or on the following three calendar days. In addition, to those who already travelled to their destination on the suspension day or before and possess valid return tickets on Malev flights on a date not later than Feb. 29. Those who...