Airlines
WestJet ups service to the sun from Eastern Canada
WestJet has announced the early launch of additional non-stop service to sun destinations from Halifax, Moncton and St. John's. Previously scheduled to begin the first week in March, flights will now launch between Feb. 20 and 26, approximately two weeks earlier. The new dates for service from Halifax, Moncton and St. John's are as follows: Halifax to Montego Bay, Feb. 20, once weekly (Mondays); Halifax to Orlando, Feb. 21, three times weekly (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays); Halifax to Cancun, Feb. 22, twice weekly (Wednesdays, Saturdays); Halifax to Punta Cana, Feb. 24, once weekly...
Lufthansa, IAG sign purchase agreement for BMI
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Lufthansa) and International Airlines Group (IAG) have signed a binding agreement for the sale of British Midland Limited (bmi) to IAG. The price is approximately 207 million euro in cash, subject to certain reductions. Both parties aim for a closing of the transaction by the end of the first quarter 2012. The sale remains subject in particular to competition clearance....
IATA slams EU court decision
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed disappointment at the recent decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) which upheld European Union (EU) plans to include international aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS) from 2012. The CJEU decision represents a European legal interpretation of EU ETS; however, the success of Europe's plans will depend on how non-European states view its legal and political acceptability. In this respect, there is growing global opposition. "... decision is a disappointment, but not a surprise. It does not bring us...
Canada’s largest airlines disappointed with court ruling
The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) has expressed its disappointment with a recent ruling of the European Union Court of Justice (EUCJ) that dismissed a challenge, based on numerous well-established principles of international law, to the EU's Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) and renewed its call on the EU to suspend application of its ETS to aviation in favour of a global solution agreed upon by all affected parties. "While we respect the Court's ruling and authority, the NACC is nevertheless disappointed that the clear extra-territorial scope and application of the EU ETS was not...
Air Transat honoured by Quebec government
Air Transat has received certification by the Quebec government's ICI ON RECYCLE! Program for its "environmental protection efforts and its exemplary waste-management practices."Pierre Arcand, Quebec minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, honoured a total of 25 establishments from the Montreal and Laurentians regions during an official certification presentation ceremony in Montreal. "This is a significant recognition for our company,"said Allen B. Graham, president of both Transat Canada and Air Transat. "We have earned this distinction in large part because of the...
Etihad invests in Air Berlin
Etihad Airways has increased its stake in Air Berlin, Europe's sixth largest airline, to 29.21%, becoming the airline's largest single shareholder. The strategic move, announced in Berlin by Etihad Airways chief executive officer James Hogan and Air Berlin CEO Hartmut Mehdorn, connects the airlines' extensive networks and frequent flyer programs to offer travellers 239 destinations across 77 countries. Hogan said the deal was one of the most important in Etihad's history. "This new partnership expands our network reach, gives us access to 33 million new passengers, and provides us with a real...
Government ready to make airfares transparent
What's in a clause? Well if it is Clause 27 on the Act to Amend the Canadian Transportation Act and The Railway Safety Act and to Make Consequential Amendments to Other Acts, then quite a lot actually. Clause 27 contains provisions that require the Canadian Transportation Agency to develop regulations governing airfare advertising in Canada. However, when it was being debated back in 2007, that clause generated a great deal of debate as the bill went through the parliamentary process. As a result, the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications added clause 64 to the bill,...
ARTA reacts to governments plan
Reports indicate that the federal government will be announcing new regulations requiring advertised airline ticket prices to include all taxes, fees and possibly additional charges. The new rules are expected to take effect at some time in 2012. ARTA Canada was quick to comment on the reports of the expected announcement (set for today -- Friday, Dec. 16, 2011), with its president, Bruce Bishins observing: "Needless to say, the specific details regarding which taxes, fees, surcharges, and other amounts must be included in an all-inclusive advertised ticket price needs to be carefully...