So, you’re tired of airline delays? You’re in good company.
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech took to his Twitter account (@AHoensbroech) on Thursday and blasted Navigation Canada for a 2.5-hour delay on his flight to Vancouver.
Daily Hive quoted a Navigation Canada (NavCan) official as saying that staffing matters are just one of many issues that could delay a flight. Which doesn’t sound like much of a denial in my book.
Vancouver Airport officials told Daily Hive that there are, indeed, staffing issues with NavCan and said nearly 15% of flights were delayed Thursday.
Some arriving flights were delayed “due to resource constraints within Nav Canada’s air navigation system,” YVR officials said.
My wife’s Porter Airlines flight from Toronto to Vancouver was delayed by nearly three hours on Thursday, but it was mostly due to inclement weather in Toronto.
Oh, the joys of modern travel.
CANADIAN TRAVEL SLOWDOWN COMING?
Vancouver, B.C. JIM BYERS PHOTO
A few media outlets have been running a story about a new poll that suggests inflation is causing Canadians to curtail their travel, or at least think about it. I’m not so sure we’re there yet.
With inflation still a problem for many consumers, CTV News reports that a new Nanos poll states that 38% of Canadians say they are more likely to spend less on their summer travel plans, an increase from 31 per cent reported in 2015.
I’m sure the poll is accurate. But that doesn’t mean those Canadians will actually spend less, just that they say they’re likely to spend less. It’s also worth noting that 62% of Canadians appear to be saying they’re NOT likely to spend any less on travel this year.
I suspect the majority of those who say they are likely to spend less of their money on travel are people with moderate incomes and that they’re feeling the squeeze of high grocery prices and other goods. They’re an important part of the travel and tourism economy, but I’m guessing that higher-income earners don’t feel as much pressure to cut back right now. And those are the people who have flown this summer to France or some other far-flung destination.
If you look at prices, it doesn’t look like hotels or airlines are worried about Canadians not travelling.
You’ll find fantastic views of Alberta and B.C. on a walk from the Sunshine Village Ski Resort near Banff. JIM BYERS PHOTO
My wife had to fly to Vancouver for a funeral on Thursday, as I already mentioned. We managed to find a flight for around $700, as I recall. But many options were $1,000 or higher, and the airline websites said they only had a few seats available.
Prior to doing a live interview last night with CP24 Television in Toronto, I logged onto Expedia Canada’s website and looked for hotel rooms in Banff for July 20, a Thursday night. The Best Western came in at $716, which is an awful lot of dough for a Best Western Hotel (no offence to shareholders or company executives). The Fairmont Banff Springs showed only eight rooms left, and the rate was, wait for it, $4,000! Both prices I cited included taxes and fees, and the Fairmont was offering a one-bedroom suite, so there is that. But holy cow!
(By the by, I went directly to the Fairmont website and found the same rate.)
Just for fun (because this is what I do for fun), I looked at Toronto hotel rates for the same day. I found a room at the Chelsea Hotel Toronto (very nice, and right downtown) for $286, including taxes and fees. The Fairmont Royal York (gorgeous, and a perfect location) was $462 with fees and taxes included.
With hotels and airlines charging this kind of money, and with flights seemingly packed to the gills, I don’t think the travel industry in Canada is too worried about travel easing up just yet. Maybe in a month or two, but not right now.
NEW AEROPLAN AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD PROMOTION
Air Canada, Aeroplan and American Express have a new Aeroplan Elite Status offer created to help Aeroplan Elite status members accelerate their earn towards 2024 status qualification and get to their next destination sooner.
Apply for the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card, earn 20,000 Aeroplan points* on eligible card purchases made on or after July 7, 2023 and posted to the linked account by October 31, 2023 to receive 20 eUpgrade credits and 15,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM).
This offer is in addition to the welcome bonus points at time of application for the card. For a limited time, Elite members can earn up to 115,000 welcome bonus points until July 24th, getting them closer to their next big redemption!
To secure this offer:
1. Register for this offer by clicking here English link & French link
2. Apply for the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card (subject to approval).***
3. Earn 20K Aeroplan points using the card, posted into the cardholder’s Aeroplan account by October 31, 2023 to earn 20 eUpgrade credits and 15,000 SQM
***The Aeroplan Number that is included in American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card application must match the Aeroplan Number linked to email on file with Air Canada and registered for the Elite Status Offer.
*To take advantage of this offer, current Elite Status members must apply for the card and earn at least 20,000 Aeroplan points through base and category accelerators, on top of the regular card spend requirements by October 31, 2023.
For a full list of terms and conditions or to register, please visit: English link & French link
GREAT BENEFITS
As a reminder, members who hold an eligible American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card can earn rewards more quickly, and access benefits such as:
· At the airport – Eligible American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cardmembers get multiple benefits when they travel with Air Canada, including their first checked bags for free, Maple Leaf Lounge access* for the cardmember and a guest, priority boarding and other benefits at the airport. Plus, 8 companions traveling on the same reservation and their eligible Additional Cardmembers can also take advantage of these benefits.
· Status – Eligible American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cardmembers can help members reach and maintain status more easily. Members can earn Status Qualifying Miles and Status Qualifying Segments just by spending on their eligible American Express Aeroplan Reserve Cards. Plus, Elite Status Members can tap into new benefits like rollover eUpgrade credits, and clear upgrades with priority at the airport.
· Faster earn – Earn Aeroplan points everywhere you pay with your American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, including extra points in popular categories such as: dining and food delivery. And earn even more with the American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card which has the highest rate of earn with Air Canada at 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on the Card, plus a minimum of 1.25 Aeroplan points per $1 spent.
For a full list of program benefits and card features, please visit: www.aircanada.com/Aeroplan-Amex.
FLAIR AIRLINES ADDS QUEBEC CITY
Flair Airlines today (July 7) welcomed its inaugural flight rom Edmonton (YEG) to Quebec City (YQB).
“Quebec City is a vibrant Canadian destination, rich with history and charm,” airline officials said. “Flair currently serves 15 non-stop destinations from YEG, and we look forward to continuing to see this number grow and welcome more visitors, businesses and opportunities to the Edmonton Metro Region.”
Seasonal service on the YEG-YQB flight is two days a week (Monday and Friday).
IMPROVED CARGO OPERATIONS AT TORONTO PEARSON
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra today announced an investment of nearly $94 million under the National Trade Corridors Fund for a cargo development project at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The project will improve cargo capacity by building two new facilities: the South Cargo Transfer Development Facility (YYZ South) and the North Cargo Apron Development (YYZ North). YYZ South will increase capacity for incoming cargo, and YYZ North will build additional infrastructure for more cargo aircraft parking spaces, which will also increase cargo capacity.
With Pearson Airport being a key gateway for global and domestic cargo operators, this new funding will help strengthen our supply chains and ensure Canadians get the goods they need on time. Together, these two new facilities will help handle more essential cargo coming through Pearson Airport and contribute to building a stronger supply chain in the Greater Toronto Area.
