News nuggets, airlines, hotels/resorts, cruising, tours, events, FAMS/incentives, deals, destinations and more are covered in our weekly round-up of travel industry news you may have missed.
NEWS
The union representing 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, has filed for conciliation with the federal minister of labour, citing an impasse with the airline. If settlement is not reached, the flight attendants could be in a strike position by August.
Delta Air Lines and Korean Air will strengthen their respective partnerships with WestJet through the purchase of minority equity stakes from the Onex Group, which will continue to own and control the Calgary-based carrier. Under the agreements, Delta and Korean will acquire independent equity stakes totaling 25% in WestJet. Delta will be investing US$330 million and acquiring a 15% stake, and Korean will invest US$220 million in exchange for a 10% stake.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy plans to reduce the number of flights in and out of the Newark Liberty International Airport for the “next several weeks,” as New Jersey’s largest airport struggles with radar outages and numerous flight delays and cancellations due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.
BY THE NUMBERS
According to Statistics Canada, Canadian residents’ return trips by air from the U.S. fell 20% in April, while return trips by car were down 35%.
AIR
A new non-stop Air Transat route between Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) and Guyana‘s capital, Georgetown (GEO). This service will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, from Dec. 16 to April 24, 2026.
Beginning June 16, Porter Airlines is launching new non-stop service between Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and Victoria International Airport (YYJ). It is the only route connecting the two capitals.
WestJet has announced an expansion of its codeshare partnerships with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), offering guests connecting through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Guests flying WestJet’s new route from Halifax to Amsterdam can connect beyond AMS to 14 destinations throughout KLM’s European network including multiple cities in Italy, Portugal and France. And those departing from Calgary, Halifax and St. John’s can now access four additional European destinations via CDG.
DEALS
Up to 20% off on more than 800 small group tours around the globe this summer is available through Intrepid Travel’s “World Sale,” including Rome (above) when booked by June. See all deals HERE.
For bookings made through May 25 for travel until Dec. 15, Air Transat’s Seat Sale offers discounted fares to Europe, the South and Florida. Additionally, through June 20 (for travel Sept. 1-April 30, 2026), Transat’s Early Bird promo offers up to $600 off per duo or up to $1,200 off per family; reduced deposit of $100 p.p.; future travel credit of $50 per adult; 25% off Option Flex Standard; and one checked bag and one carry-on per person. In addition, travel advisors get 5X BONBON per booking, which is $25 per room, for each eligible booking.
TOURS OPERATORS
Known for decades for its land/coach tours, Trafalgar is expanding into river cruising. Starting in 2026, the company will debut in Europe with two river cruise journeys along the Rhine and Danube, with travel advisors now able to book the trips (ahead of the general public). Trafalgar begins with two new journeys, an eight-day cruise along the Danube on the 128-passenger Trafalgar Reverie and a 10-day cruise along the Rhine on the 128-passenger Trafalgar Verity.
Air Canada Vacations has partnered with Virgin Voyages, the elevated, kid-free cruise brand offering itineraries in the Caribbean, the Med and more. Until June 4 travel professionals can earn an additional 1% bonus commission when booking a Virgin Voyages cruise package through ACV. And for bookings made by May 21, agents qualify to for a chance to win one prize of $250 in ACV&ME points.
CRUISE
On sale now, Princess Cruises’ World Cruise Grand Circle Pacific 2027 itinerary offers three departure options: the full 129-day journey departs from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 2027; a 114-day roundtrip option leaves Los Angeles on Jan. 21, 2027; and a 110-day cruise starts in L.A. and ends in Vancouver on Jan. 21, 2027. The epic journey aboard the Coral Princess visits 61 destinations across 20 countries and three continents.
MSC Cruises Canada is expanding ‘Fly&Cruise’ program for the summer and winter 2025-26 seasons. Designed to let Canadian guests seamlessly book both their flights and cruises together, the package solution aims to provide stress-free and flexible vacation experience for clients while also adding commissionable air rates for travel advisors. The program is supported by airline partners including Air Canada, Air Transat and WestJet and includes cross-Canada gateways.
HOTELS & RESORTS
Quebec’s first and the third Canadian Moxy is now open (photo above). Centrally located on Saint-Jacques Street, Moxy Montreal Downtown has 216 guestrooms, a variety of flexible co-working spaces, fitness centre with an indoor pool, and a vibrant restaurant-bar and lounge area. Designed for the young at heart, Moxy aims to transform the typical hotel stay into a social experience, encouraging meaningful interactions among locals, business travellers, and tourists alike, with a bold and stylish twist.
Unionized employees at Montreal’s famed Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel have agreed to a new contract, putting an end to a six-month lockout at the storied Montreal landmark. The 950-room luxury hotel is the largest in Quebec and is known as the location for John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s recording of “Give Peace a Chance” during their 1969 bed-in. Hotel management says it will gradually restart operations this month, with full service to resume on May 26.
ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS
Disney is planning to build a seventh theme park. The waterfront resort will be built on Yas Island on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, UAE, which is already home to a Formula One Grand Prix race, the Ferrari and Warner Bros. amusement parks, SeaWorld, and a waterpark. A projected opening date has not been announced.
FAMS & INCENTIVES
TravelBrands has a new partnership with WayGo! Car Rental, a leading car rental company in Lisbon, Portugal. To celebrate, travel agents can earn 5X Loyalty Rewards Points on all new WayGo! Car Rental bookings made by May 31, available exclusively for rentals in Lisbon.
Travel Advisors who excel in selling TTC Tour Brands can apply to secure a spot on the six-day Spectacular Scotland Top Achievers FAM in October. To qualify, travel advisors must complete the following by July 1, 2025: Be a top seller of TTC Tour Brands 2025 departures; and sell Luxury Gold Spectacular Scotland 2026 departures. Each booking counts as double the passengers and double the revenue. For full incentive details and Spectacular Scotland product info, visit HERE.
EVENTS
Skal Toronto reminds that early bird rates expire on May 30 for one of the summer’s top travel events. The 69th Annual Skål Toronto Golf Tournament will take place at the Royal Woodbine Golf Club on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Open to all, not just Skålleagues, the event attracts tourism, hospitality and travel industry executives from across the travel industry for a day of networking, exercise and fun. Early bird rates for Skål members are $250 ($275 after May 31) and $275/$300 respectively for guests. Foursomes: $1,000/$1,200. Guests can attend lunch only for $100. To register for golf or a hole sponsorship visit: https://skaltorontogolf.eventbrite.ca
PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS
Veteran cabinet minister and former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland was named transport minister in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet.
DESTINATIONS
Spain’s airport authority will start to limit access to Madrid‘s airport during some parts of the day as a preventive measure to stop more homeless people from sleeping in its terminals. Only travellers with boarding passes, airport employees and those accompanying someone with a ticket will be allowed to enter the airport during hours with few departing and arriving flights, Spain’s airport authority AENA said.
In June, Hong Kong’s Dragon Boat Festival fills the city’s waters with thrilling races, pounding drums, and festive energy. A highlight is the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races in Victoria Harbour, June 7-8, this year including Canada’s Water Vipers team.
LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY
In 1869, a gold spike was driven at Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railway in the U.S.
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