Aviation

Citing “highly complementary” route networks, Air Transat and Porter Airlines are creating a joint venture “alliance” that the companies say will transform the current Canadian aviation competitive landscape. To be implemented gradually in 2024, the arrangement will extend the airlines’ existing code-sharing agreement to give travellers access to a broader network through enhanced commercial collaboration and optimization.

A record number of passengers traveled through US airports over Thanksgiving weekend, but travel was relatively smooth despite the crowds, reported the Transportation Security Administration, which said it screened just over 2.9 million passengers on Sunday, surpassing the previous record of 2.88 million set on June 30.

With earnings this year surpassing 2019 levels, Alexis von Hoensbroech says he’s cautiously optimistic about the company’s prospects for 2024. Speaking to staff in Calgary last week, the Westjet CEO hailed their efforts in the company’s return to profitability this year – and announced the welcome return of profit sharing to employees. And despite economic headwinds, he mused that this year’s momentum will carry the carrier successfully into the new year.

The authority overseeing the Montreal airport has announced measures to reduce congestion after a surge in car traffic over the summer prompted a wave of frustration among passengers trying to make their gate on time.

With the expanded international air agreement between Canada and Panama, Copa Airlines says it will increase frequencies between the countries in 2024, culminating in daily service between both Toronto and Montreal starting May 20 and 21 respectively.

Passenger numbers at Dubai International Airport (DXB) this year will eclipse the pre-pandemic passenger figures in 2019, showing the strong rebound in travel after the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns that grounded aircraft worldwide.

Statistics Canada says airfares have plummeted over the past year, as airlines shore up capacity, even while consumers think twice about travelling in a world of higher costs. In its consumer price index (CPI) Tuesday, the agency said the price of air transportation dropped 19.4 percent last month compared with October 2022.

A new report says the country’s two biggest airlines ranked last for on-time performance among large North American carriers last month. But it’s getting better.

WestJet has announced new, year-round, daily service connecting Regina and Minneapolis – service the airline says reflects its ongoing commitment to providing connectivity to Saskatchewan and further enhancing Regina’s air access to popular destinations. The flights will begin April 28, 2024.

Sunwing is reporting strong results early in its winter season (starting Nov. 1), in part reflecting key measures designed to “bolster operational readiness” for the peak season to come. The airline says it has already carried nearly 100,000 customers on 600 flights to destinations throughout the tropics – and all of them “successfully completed.”

Overpacking can be bad for the back (hauling around heavy bags), but also worrisome for the wallet as extra fees are now standard fare – including some cruise lines, but especially low-cost airlines, which are notorious for stinging passengers who exceed the suitcase or hand luggage allowance with large fees.

Boosted by a growing fleet of 737 MAX aircraft, WestJet says it’s set to soar in 2024 with the reintroduction of service connecting Eastern Canada and Europe, along with new service to Reykjavik (Keflavik) and new daily service to Tokyo from Calgary.

With travel to and from Asia on the upswing following the region’s late emergence from pandemic, Air Canada says it is boosting its Asia-Pacific network beginning in mid-December, through to the end of summer 2024.

The Israel-Hamas war has not only had a negative impact on aviation to and from the Middle East – the effect is global, says leading travel analytics firm, ForwardKeys. Overall, the report says the world’s aviation market had dropped by five percent in the three weeks since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 due to in a dent in consumer confidence to travel.

Long-haul carrier Emirates opened the Dubai Air Show on Monday with a US$52-billion purchase of Boeing Co. aircraft, showing how aviation has bounced back after the groundings of the coronavirus pandemic, even as Israel’s war with Hamas clouds regional security.

An investigation is underway into what Canada’s transport minister and the RCMP call “threats” against Air India, after an online video warns people not to fly on the airline on Sunday, Nov. 19. Pablo Rodriguez says Canada and its security partners are investigating “recent threats circulating online,” referring to comments about Air India.

A charter flight flying from London to Orlando was forced to land after the crew realized it had reached 14,000 feet with two window panes missing. The Titan Airways plane, which was previously used by King Charles and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak, took off from London’s Stansted Airport on October 4 before the crew realized the windows had been damaged during a film shoot the previous day.

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau apologized for the airline’s accessibility shortfalls and rolling out new measures to improve the travel experience for hundreds of thousands of passengers living with a disability.

Air Canada has became the first airline globally to bring Disney+ Originals to the skies through its in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. The airline’s latest collaboration with Disney, offers customers opportunities to enjoy original programming for all ages while onboard. It also marks Air Canada’s most recent investment in its family-focused travel experience, adding critically-acclaimed and exclusive Disney+ Originals such as the first three episodes of Loki Season 1 and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Amber Vencill, a Florida mother, alleges her 12 and 10-year-old sons who were travelling alone, were left without food, water, blankets or pillows after their flight was cancelled. She also claims she was given conflicting information on the boys’ rescheduled flight and was unable to speak with them for hours.

This August, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was holding meetings at 90 airports after the National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating seven runway incursion events since January, including some that were potentially catastrophic. The FAA announced yesterday that runway 16 additional airports have been added to the list and will be investigated in the coming weeks after a series of troubling close-call aviation incidents.

The hostage situation at Hamburg Airport ended Sunday afternoon, around 18 hours after a man drove his vehicle through the gates of the airport with his 4-year-old daughter inside. The man was arrested and the girl appeared to be unharmed.