Aviation

WESTJET APPOINTS TODD LINDLEY AS DIRECTOR OF SALES

WestJet has appointed Todd Lindey Director, Sales. Reporting to Amanda Ierfino, Vice President, Sales & Cargo, Lindey will lead the Corporate, Agency, Specialty and International Sales teams, along with Sales Operations & Performance and Sales Planning & Governance.

FAA OKAYS BOEING TO RESUME JET SAFETY CHECKS

Boeing has been cleared once again to take responsibility for certifying all of its 737 Max and 787 planes. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration says that after months of review the agency decided that Boeing’s final safety checks on its planes are good enough to ensure they are airworthy.

FROM SNOW BOOTS TO SANDALS: WestJet adds five new routes for winter 2026/27

Five new routes and expanded vacation offerings will highlight WestJet’s offering this winter, including first-time flights from Calgary to Mérida, Mexico, as well as new non-stop connections between Belize City, Belize (BZE) and Winnipeg (YWG); Punta Cana, D.R. (PUJ) and Winnipeg; San José del Cabo, Mexico (SJD) and Regina (YQR); as well as Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) and Ottawa (YOW).

WHAT’S NEXT IN WESTJET DISPUTE: Would feds intervene in ‘important labour battle’?

Bargaining between WestJet and the union representing its flight attendants was due to resume Monday after the 4,400 members of CUPE 8125 voted 99% in favour of authorizing a strike if they are unable to reach a new deal on contract demands. A question mark dangling over the ongoing WestJet talks is how Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government might intervene.

AIR CANADA, AIRBUS AIM TO LEAD WAY IN SUSTAINABLE FUEL

Air Canada and Airbus will invest nearly $14 million to support a commercial-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry in Canada. The companies say the jointly funded Sustainability Co-Investment Platform reflects their shared commitment to aviation decarbonization and desire to “lead the way” in advancing these goals.

IATA REPORT FLAGS PREMIUM SEAT SURGE

A surge in premium-class travel highlights the findings from IATA’s just-released World Air Transport Statistics (WATS), which provides comprehensive statistical data on the global aviation industry through to 2025.

AIR CANADA UPS ANTE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Launching across all its cabins beginning this month, Air Canada is introducing a new collection of premium bedding and amenities designed to elevate rest and comfort for customers on international flights.

WESTJET FLIGHT ATTENDANTS VOTE TO STRIKE

WestJet flight attendants have overwhelmingly authorized a strike that could see thousands of workers walk off the job in fewer than three weeks (Aug. 2) if they are unable to reach a new deal on contract demands.

PILOTS AT FLAIR WILL STAY IN THE AIR

In a bit of good labour news at the other end of the runway from WestJet, Flair Airlines pilots voted overwhelmingly to ratify their tentative agreement reached with company management.

AIR CANADA, HYATT LINK LOYALTY PROGRAMS

Air Canada’s Aeroplan and World of Hyatt have announced a collaboration that will give loyalty plan members more ways to earn and redeem rewards. The collaboration expands member benefits across a combined network of more than 1,300 destinations and 1,500 hotels.

CONTRAILS CONUNDRUM: AA, Google test reducing harmful jet trails

Say goodbye to contrails, the symbolic, sometimes beautiful, markers of travel dreams. American Airlines and Google say they have significantly reduced the climate impact of some of the airline’s flights using an AI-based forecasting tool to help prevent the iconic condensation trails.

AIR CANADA LAUNCHES MONTREAL-YUL SHUTTLE

Air Canada has launched the Air Canada City Shuttle, an expansion of its multi-modal partnership with The Landline Company. Now operating, the new service provides a fast, frequent and direct motorcoach connection for Air Canada customers between the Palais des congrès de Montréal and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) for $9 one way, plus applicable taxes.

WESTJET FLIGHT ATTENDANTS OPEN STRIKE VOTE

WestJet Mainline flight attendants have officially opened a strike vote that could precipitate a work action as early as Aug. 2. Voting continues until July 15 as the union seeks a strong mandate from members to support its position at the bargaining table as negotiations continue under federal conciliation until July 11.

MEET THE NEW BOSS: Air Canada names new CEO

Air Canada has named Scandinavian Airlines head Anko Van der Werff as the Canadian airline’s next chief executive. The Montreal-based airline says Van der Werff will assume the job and join Air Canada’s board of directors by the end of January 2027.

THE PREMIUMIZATION OF AIR TRAVEL: And the widening gap at the back of the bus

They may arrive at the same destination, but two passengers on the same flight can have strikingly different travel experiences. One traveller breezes through a priority security lane and heads straight to an invite-only lounge for craft cocktails and a chef-prepared meal before boarding early. A flight attendant offering a glass of champagne and a warm hand towel welcomes the passenger to a spacious seat at the front of the plane.

AIR CANADA SCALES BACK MORE U.S. FLIGHTS

Air Canada is once again scaling back flights to the U.S. amid high jet fuel costs and lower demand for trips south of the border. Schedule changes by the country’s largest carrier show it is halting or delaying eight transborder routes starting this fall.

TRAVELPORT ADDS AC FLIGHT PASS CAPABILITY FOR NDC BOOKINGS

Travelport has announced the introduction of Air Canada Flight Pass capability within TripServices API and Smartpoint enabling Travelport-connected agencies to shop and book eligible Air Canada NDC offers using Flight Pass credits directly within the Travelport+ platform.

BRITISH AIRWAYS, PORTER ANNOUNCE CODESHARE

Effective July 8, a new codeshare agreement between Porter Airlines and British Airways will take effect, giving British Airways customers seamless access to travel on 17 select Porter Airlines domestic routes in Canada including Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

WESTJET POSTS TOP ON-TIME PERFORMANCE

Hailing the ranking as a “major milestone in operational excellence,” WestJet reports it has earned a place among the world’s most on-time airlines in the latest Cirium On-Time Performance Report.

WESTJET HITS NEW HEIGHTS WITH JAYS: Unveils branded plane to mark partnership renewal

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ With nearly 1,000 WestJetters, Toronto Blue Jays representatives – including legendary players Pat Borders and Edwin Encarnacion – and community members in attendance, WestJet celebrated the renewal of its long-standing partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday by unveiling a new co-branded plane that will take the iconic Jays logo to 35,000 feet, and wherever the plane flies.

FIRST DOMINO TO FALL? Porter reduces fuel surcharge

With fuel prices dropping in the wake of an apparent agreement between the U.S. and Iran to end the war in the Middle East, Porter Airlines says it is reducing its temporary surcharge for new reward flight bookings to $20.

ALBANIA MANIA: Transat flights a first from Canada

One of Europe’s emerging “it” destinations now has direct service from Canada courtesy of Transat, which officially inaugurated its new non-stop service between Toronto and Tirana late last week. The first flight (TS422) marked the launch of the first air link between Canada and Albania.

EMIRATES OFFERS ‘INDUSTRY FIRST’ INSURANCE COVERING CONFLICTS

In response to recent global airspace disruptions, rising jet fuel costs, and heightened travel uncertainty amid the U.S.-Iran conflict, Emirates has introduced Comprehensive Travel Cover, a product the company says is an industry-first travel insurance offering broad, multi-risk protection for travellers throughout their journey.

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