WestJet says it achieved an 11 percent reduction in its fuel emissions intensity in 2023, compared to (pre-pandemic) 2019, aligning with its ongoing commitment to responsible growth and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) goal for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Beleaguered Boeing is now telling airlines to inspect switches on pilots’ seats in its 787 Dreamliner jets after a published report said an accidental cockpit seat movement likely caused the sudden plunge of a LATAM Airlines plane flying to New Zealand.
Air Transat is expanding its virtual interlining service with the addition of two new airline partners Pegasus Airlines and Volotea, bringing the total to 14 collaborating airlines and offering access to over 275 additional destinations worldwide.
The WestJet Group has named Diederik Pen as President of WestJet Airlines effective April 1. In adding the title to his current role Chief Operating Officer of the Group, Pen will continue to report to Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group’s Chief Executive Officer.
The federal government says it will host a summit on air accessibility in May amid what it calls “completely unacceptable” barriers to Canadians living with disabilities. Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez says airlines have failed to meet the treatment standards that passengers with disabilities deserve, calling for more responsibility from the aviation sector.
The CEO of United Airlines says that a slew of recent incidents ranging from a panel that fell off a plane to another jet losing a wheel on takeoff will cause the airline to review its safety training for employees. In a memo to customers on Monday, Scott Kirby tried to reassure travellers that safety is the airline’s top priority.
More passengers who were aboard an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 jet when part of its fuselage blew out in January are suing – including one who says his life was saved by a seat belt.
Another day, another problem for Boeing and United Airlines. On Friday, a post-flight inspection revealed a missing panel on an older Boeing 737-800 that had just arrived at its destination in southern Oregon after flying from San Francisco, officials said, the latest in a series of recent incidents involving aircraft manufactured by the company.
About 200 food service workers at Vancouver’s airport have voted to take strike action if their demands for pay increases in a first contract are not met. In a media release, Unite Here Local 40 said job action “could disrupt daily airport operations as the spring break and Easter weekend rush approaches.”
After entertaining new entrants for several years, Canada’s airline market is once again on the path to consolidation, raising the likelihood of higher fares and fewer flight options. Since May, newer low-cost carriers Swoop and Lynx Air have disappeared from the skies and WestJet has scooped up Sunwing Airlines.
Revenue increased by almost 18 percent, but overall profit declined for Transat in the first quarter, with the travel company citing the (now resolved) threat of strike by flight attendants, fierce competition, and supply chain challenges as factors contributing to a $61 million net loss. At the same time, record customer deposits for future travel (+14%) have been achieved.
Responding to a US government audit, Boeing said Tuesday that it would work with employees found to have violated company manufacturing procedures to make sure they understand instructions for their jobs.
Toronto Pearson has been named the “Best Airport over 40 million passengers in North America” for the sixth time in seven years by Airports Council International (ACI) – World, the global trade representative of the world’s airports. The airport regained the prestigious ranking in 2023 after achieving the honour for five consecutive years between 2017 and 2021, but missing in 2022.
As officials investigate what caused a “strong shake” before a sudden plunge on a plane traveling between Australia and New Zealand, a passenger on Tuesday described a wild ride, with people without seatbelts thrown from their seats and some crashing into the plane’s ceiling.
It’s California here we come (again) as Porter Airlines adds seasonal roundtrip flights on two new non-stop routes between Montreal and Los Angeles and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), creating further connections from eastern Canada to US west coast this summer.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says its data of global passenger demand for indicates a strong start for the year. Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), was up 16.6% compared to the year previous, while total capacity was up 14.1%; and the load factor was 79.9% (+1.7%).
The US the Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the Boeing jetliner blowout that left a gaping hole on an Alaska Airlines plane this January. Citing documents and people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal says investigators have contacted some passengers and crew – including pilots and flight attendants – who were on the Jan. 5 flight.
Last week was a tough week for United Airlines, which experienced four separate incidents aboard its flights, including an emergency landing, lost tire, engine fire, and runway roll-off. No injuries were reported as a result of any of the incidents.
A decade ago on March 8, a Malaysia Airlines flight vanished without a trace, becoming one of aviation’s biggest mysteries. Investigators still do not know exactly what happened to the plane and its 239 passengers. But Malaysia’s government says it may renew the hunt for MH370 after an American marine robotics company that tried to find the plane in 2018 proposed a fresh search.
Lynx Air is the latest in a long line of low-cost airlines to fail in Canada. The airline ceased operations on Feb. 26, four days after announcing it had entered creditor protection on Feb. 22. This scenario is not novel in Canadian commercial aviation; Canada has had its fair share of discount carrier failings due to poor financial health.
American Airlines announced a massive order for new planes, splitting 260 new aircraft between Boeing, Airbus and Embraer in a move designed to meet growing travel demand and increase the airline’s supply of premium seats. American said it placed options for up to 193 more planes over the next several years.
JetBlue and Spirit Airlines are ending their proposed US$3.8 billion combination after a court ruling blocked their merger. The announcement was a win for consumers dependent on lower fares, but a disappointment for the carriers who, together, hoped to challenge the U.S. ‘Big 4’ airlines.
When it comes to safety culture at Boeing, there is a “disconnect” between senior management and workers, and employees responsible for checking the company’s planes question whether they can raise issues without fear of retaliation, according to a panel of outside experts.
WestJet flight WS34 from Toronto touched down in Dublin on Friday, marking the return of transatlantic flying by the carrier between eastern Canada and Europe. The service to the Irish capital also kicked off the 10-year anniversary of WestJet’s entry into Europe, commemorating the airline’s inaugural transatlantic flight between St. John’s and Dublin in 2014.
Lynx Air ceased to fly this week, the latest in a long line of discount carriers to bite the departures dust – brought down in part by stiff competition, high fees, and Canada’s vast geography. Lynx, which filed for creditor protection Feb. 22, marks at least the eighth budget airline to take off and then fizzle out since 2000, joining the ranks of Roots Air, CanJet and Swoop.
With just one accident for every 1.26 million flights, last year was the safest year ever for aviation, says IATA in its just-released 2023 Annual Safety Report. However, despite citing several 2023 parameters showing “best-ever” results, the association’s director general says, “We can never take safety for granted.”
United Airlines has raised its fees for checking bags, following a similar move last week by American Airlines. Now in effect, economy-class passengers on domestic flights will be charged US$5 more. That will bring the price to $35 if they pay online at least 24 hours before the flight, and $40 after that.
Porter Airlines has announced a pair of new routes for Eastern Canada this summer, including the only non-stop Ottawa-St. John’s flight on the market, and the introduction of Deer Lake as a new destination, with service to Halifax.
Air Transat announced Monday that 62.7% of its flight attendants have voted in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement and effectively lifting the strike threat, thereby putting an end to the uncertainty for travellers.
Private jets and international business class reservations are enjoying a huge upswing among Canadian business and luxury leisure travel clients of First in Service (F1S), according to the independent travel agency group.