WestJet’s controversial takeover of Sunwing is set to be approved today by the Trudeau government. WestJet also has been given federal licenses for flights to Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia. The Globe and Mail this morning (March 10) reported that the announcement will be made today, providing WestJet with a huge increase in its share of the packaged vacation business. Calgary-based WestJet and Toronto-based Sunwing announced the proposed merger in March, 2022. The federal Competition Bureau later stated that the takeover would lead to fewer choices for Canadian travellers, and higher prices. The Globe story said the Trudeau Read more
Asia
So, this is kinda wild. Cruisehive.com reports that Miray Cruises will open for bookings for a three-year world cruise on March 1, 2023. The cruise will sail onboard the 1992-built MV Gemini and visit 135 countries on seven continents from November 2023 through the end of 2026. The ship will travel 130,000 miles, visit 375 ports of call in 135 different countries, and sail to all seven continents, Cruisehive stated. The cost could be as little as $2,500 USD per stateroom per month, which means $30,000 for the year. That’s damn cheap for room and board while you cruise the world. Read more
Toronto Pearson to Limit Flights This Spring + Summer; China Tourism Rebound and Scenic Cruises 2024
Toronto Pearson Airport officials say they’ll begin capping the number of passengers who can fly to the U.S. or come into the country from Europe. In a statement sent to me today by email, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) said it has “taken decisive measures designed to flatten peak-hour schedules for the March Break and the upcoming summer season” by controlling the number of passengers who go through the airport each hour. “These include hard limits on the number of commercial flights that can arrive or depart in any given hour along with limits on business/general aviation flights. In Read more
Eugene Levy is living large as he records his new TV show. I’ve also got update on a retirement cruise ship, a Black History initiative for New York, snow in Hollywood, and news about Singapore cancelling its Vancouver flights. RETIRE AND LIVE ON A CRUISE SHIP Here’s a great way to retire; live on a cruise ship that sails the world. Business Insider says Victoria Cruises Line is chartering a nearly 30-year-old cruise vessel formerly owned by Holland America for use as an adults-only residential cruise ship. The cost starts at $8,000 USD per month for two people and guests Read more
The recovery is going full tilt for Canada’s largest airline. Air Canada today said its operating revenues for the fourth quarter of 2022 were higher than the last three months of 2019. The Montreal-based airline reported record fourth quarter operating revenues of $4.680 billion, 71 per cent higher than the fourth quarter of 2021 and about six per cent higher than the final quarter of 2019. Air Canada also reported record fourth quarter passenger revenues of $4.062 billion, double from the fourth quarter of 2021 and about two per cent higher than the fourth quarter in 2019. Still, the airline Read more
