Citing growing interest in Latin America by Canadians, Air Transat is increasing service from Montreal to San Salvador, El Salvador, and Liberia, Costa Rica, to year-round. Previously, flights to the Central American destinations operated only during the winter season. The new services start as of May 1, 2024.

If it seems that Canadian airlines are announcing or inaugurating new routes almost every day, it’s because they are. And while that’s great news for consumers as the increased competition helps drive down fares from unprecedented peaks at the tail end of the pandemic, as one industry observer stated at a travel event in Toronto this week: “It’s like the old days – there’s too much capacity out there.”

Air Canada has earned two honours in the recently announced federal Employment Equity Achievement Awards, presented by the minister of labour. This is the fifth year that the awards are presented, and this year marks the second time that Air Canada has been recognized.

The first commercial airliner to cross the Atlantic on a purely high-fat, low-emissions fuel flew Tuesday from London to New York in a step toward achieving what supporters called “jet zero.” The Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 flight was powered without using fossil fuels, relying on so-called sustainable aviation fuel made up largely of tallow and other waste fats.

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.