| Air Canada’s operating revenue for the first quarter of this year was 90% higher than a year ago and about 10% higher than the first quarter of 2019.
Canada’s largest airline today reported its first quarter 2023 financial results, and it’s clear that the travel rebound is a powerful one, indeed.
Air Canada said its operating revenue for the quarter was $4.887 billion, nearly double last year and even higher than 2019, before the pandemic hit. The Montreal-based airline reported an operating loss of $17 million, improved from an operating loss of $550 million in the first quarter of 2022
“Air Canada’s impressive first quarter performance reflects the strength of our brand, the very strong demand environment across all markets and the effective execution of our strategic plan. When compared to the same quarter in 2022, passenger revenues more than doubled and hit a first quarter record of close to $4.1 billion, supported by our diversified network and our strong international franchise,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.
 Air Canada plane over the western U.S. JIM BYERS PHOTO
| “Our first quarter financial results exceeded both internal and external expectations and we expect demand to persist, supported by strong advance bookings for the remainder of the year. For this reason, as well as lower-than-expected fuel costs, we increased our 2023 adjusted EBITDA guidance last week. I thank all employees for their continued focus on improving all aspects of our company through effective and positive teamwork, and our customers for their loyalty. |
“All areas of the business contributed meaningfully during the quarter. Air Canada Cargo is expanding its network and fleet, Aeroplan is gaining more members and gross billings have increased 50% when compared to the first quarter of 2022, and Air Canada Vacations produced remarkable results. System yields improved approximately 9 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2022. We achieved a strong free cash flow* of nearly $1 billion. This will allow us to continue investing in our future, including by further deleveraging our balance sheet,” said Rousseau.
ORLANDO VISITATION ALMOST AT PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS: CANADIANS LEAD THE WAY
 Walt Disney World. JIM BYERS PHOTO Orlando attracted 74 million visitors last year, including nearly 900,000 Canadians.
Visit Orlando, the official tourism association for Orlando, said the 74
million annual visitors marked a 25% increase over 2021. That allowed Orlando to maintain its leadership position as America’s most-visited destination, officials said.
The 74 million visitors also accounts for 98% of pre-pandemic (2019) visitation levels.
“This past year proved to be a key recovery timeframe for Orlando’s tourism industry, with a lot of pent-up demand from our top US and international markets,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando. “As our top international market, Canada plays an extremely important role in these visitation numbers.
“Our new international brand launch and strong commitment to strategic sales and marketing initiatives, combined with our destination’s continuous evolution of new unbelievably real experiences, helped Orlando maintain its leadership position and achieve strong visitation numbers,” Matej said.
The visitation uptick comes off the back of Visit Orlando’s new Unbelievably Real brand launch, first introduced in May 2022 to domestic visitors followed by an international marketing campaign in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru. The comprehensive campaigns reached 54% of Orlando’s target market households and generated more than $8 billion in additional future direct visitor spending equating to $359 in visitor spending for each dollar of media spent.
In 2022, domestic leisure visitation completely recovered and reached a new record at 61 million, while US business visitation is still in recovery mode:
• United States: 69,141,000 (21% increase YoY)
o Leisure: 61,201,000
o Business: 7,940,000
International visitation recovered to 75% of pre-pandemic, reaching 4.9 million in 2022. Canada, UK and Brazil were the top three international origin markets to Orlando.
• Canada: 860,700
• United Kingdom: 809,000
• Brazil: 575,000
• Mexico: 394,000
• Colombia: 287,000
Orlando, home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and more, continues to grow with an exciting lineup of new experiences for visitors to enjoy – from a new eco-friendly, high speed rail service connecting Orlando and Miami to theme park experiences including a first-of-its-kind diabolical family attraction inspired by the Minions to the world’s first surf coaster. For more information go to VisitOrlando.com.
HOLLAND AMERICA COMPLETES 128-DAY WORLD CRUISE
Holland America Line’s 2023 Grand World Voyage concluded today at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 128 days after it departed from the port Jan. 3, 2023. This is the first Grand World Voyage the cruise line has operated since 2020 and the 59th since its first world cruise departed aboard Statendam Jan. 7, 1958.
During Zuiderdam’s journey around the world, the ship visited 57 ports in 30 countries on four continents and cruised 35,651 nautical miles (39,875 land miles). Highlights included funds raised for Bernhard Nordkamp Centre in Namibia, Africa; blankets knitted by guests for Project Linus; and celebrating the company’s 150th Anniversary in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha.
“Like our guests, we have been eagerly anticipating the return of our Grand World Voyage, and the 2023 world cruise was an exceptional journey for not only the places we visited, but the memories made along the way,” said Antorcha. “A world cruise is more than just a travel experience; it’s building a community of friends and family. And our guests generously gave their time and funds for some worthy causes during the journey, for which I extend gratitude on behalf of everyone at Holland America Line.” |
