Air Transat is getting a $150 million assistance package from the Trudeau government. Transat A.T. Inc. announced today that it has reached an agreement with Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation (“CEEFC”), a federal Crown corporation, to obtain $100 million in added financing, as well as $50 million in credit. “In this final LEEFF (Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility) loan, Transat will receive up to $150 million to protect Canadian jobs and ensure operations can continue, despite the company’s ongoing capital operating challenges as a result of the pandemic,” the government said in a press released. “The amount consists of $100 Read more
Canada
I was at Toronto Pearson today at 9:30 a.m., and it was like another world. Hardly any cars at the departures level, only a few people in line for the Air Canada U.S. ticket window, and maybe 15-20 people that I could see in line for security. Which made me wonder? Was I just there at the right time, or are things improving at Canada’s busiest – and most vilified – airport? “We’re starting to see improvements on average wait times, both with departures and arrivals, but there’s more work to be done to provide reliability and consistency for our Read more
Another new, luxury hotel is coming to downtown Toronto. Easton’s Group of Hotels announced the “topping off” of its upcoming Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville Hotel, marking the completion of its structural framework. To celebrate this milestone, the group held a ceremony at the construction site, 387 Bloor Street East, on Thursday, July 21. This was attended by members of Easton’s Group of Hotels, Gupta Group Developments, and SkyGrid Construction Inc. The 184-room hotel marks the Canadian debut of Canopy by Hilton, Hilton’s luxurious lifestyle hotel brand. This is slated to open in November 2022, “steps away from the heart Read more
Aeroplan, the Air Canada points/rewards program, is doing its members a favour by extending its pause on expiry of points until May 31, 2023 The company’s inactivity policy was placed on hold during the pandemic to help members out who were not necessarily earning points while at home. They also made their inactivity policy more flexible during the pandemic, increasing it to 18 months in advance of the Aeroplan program relaunch. “While many of our members are back to travelling and or have engaged with our exciting everyday partners like Starbucks, Uber, and Uber Eats, we recognize that this is Read more
Ace Hotel Toronto — the brand’s inaugural home in Canada — opens its doors today. The 123-room ground-up project was designed by revered Toronto firm Shim-Sutcliffe Architects, led by Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe, recipients of numerous awards including the 2021 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Gold Medal, the nation’s highest honour for architecture. Anchoring the building is Alder, a seasonal wood-fired restaurant from critically acclaimed chef Patrick Kriss, which will open for dinner service on August 9. Chef Patrick also helms the menus for The Lobby, as well as the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge, Evangeline, opening later this Read more
