Aviation

‘BETTER LATE THAN NEVER’: Air Canada targets global growth

Air Canada has embarked on a major expansion of its network overseas, announcing seven new routes in Europe and Asia for next summer.  Chief commercial officer Mark Galardo says the move signals a push to become a fully international carrier as the country’s largest airline aims to draw more on higher-margin globetrotters and less on purely domestic customers.

‘A VERY LARGE PIE’: Porter unperturbed about expanding to U.S. during trade war

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Porter Airlines continued its network expansion last week with news of the upcoming launch of four new routes from London, Ont., notably including two to Florida – Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. And while destinations aren’t new to Porter, they do represent more lift at a time when Canadians continue to have their feathers ruffled by the trade war and the antagonist attitude of the Trump regime south of the border.

LONDON (ONT.) CALLING: Porter launches first-time service from YXU

By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Porter Airlines is launching service in London, Ont., for the first time in the airline’s history. Starting in November, London International Airport (YXU) – will see four nonstop seasonal routes to sunny southern destinations in Florida, Jamaica and Mexico.

WESTJET ORDERED TO SCRAP WEIGHT CAP ON WHEELCHAIRS

The Canadian Transportation Agency said WestJet must scrap its 300-pound weight cap on mobility aids before July 2027. The airline is imposing an “undue barrier” on travellers living with a disability by effectively barring some power wheelchairs from its planes, said the transport regulator.

WESTJET COMPLETES REFIT OF SUNWING, SWOOP AIRCRAFT

WestJet says it has completed the transformation of its remaining all-economy aircraft that were formerly operated by Swoop or Sunwing airlines. The cabin refresh includes upgraded Premium seating, an expanded Extended Comfort cabin as well as enhanced amenities and a refreshed interior look and feel.

WESTJET CHASES THE RAYS: Offers biggest sun destination schedule yet

With the airline set to operate up to 1,252 weekly flights on 88 unique non-stop routes between Canada and Latin America and the Caribbean this winter, WestJet says it will offer its most extensive schedule to Latin America and the Caribbean yet, growing year-over-year (YOY) capacity by 12 percent.

EVERYTHING UP BUT PROFIT: Air Canada confident after Q2 report

Air Canada reported a net loss of $178 million during the second quarter, compared to net income of $186 million during the same period a year earlier. However, the company says its revenue reached $6.3 billion during the quarter, up year-over-year from $5.6 billion. 

WESTJET BACK TO SCRATCH: Flights operating normally, change deadline extended

WestJet says it has returned to normal operations as it continues to re-book travellers whose flights were cancelled due to a work stoppage this past weekend. The airline says it was operating all of its scheduled flights on Wednesday, while thanking customers for their patience during its ramp-up this week.

THE DAY AFTER: Flights resume, but disruptions continue at WestJet

Flight disruptions continued at WestJet on Tuesday as the airline ramped up following a brief work stoppage over the long weekend. Data from aviation analytics company Cirium showed 16 WestJet flights scheduled for Tuesday had been cancelled, as of around 11 a.m. ET.

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.

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