Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre says that, if elected Prime Minister, his government would approve a runway expansion at Toronto’s Billy Bishop Island airport, which would allow jets to fly in and out of the downtown. Poilievre said allowing jets at YTZ would increase competition in the aviation sector and provide passengers with an alternative to Toronto Pearson Airport, which has had a chaotic summer filled with crowds and cancellations. “Travel at Pearson is a mess right now,” he said. “There could have been way more flights out of Billy Bishop airport in downtown Toronto, meaning more competition and more Read more

WestJet is trimming flights in and out of four Eastern Canadian destinations this winter, but adding more western Canadian flights and sun destination routes. The Calgary-based airline said this week it will end service to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on Nov. 15. (Swoop, a WestJet, subsidiary, will fly in and out of PEI, however). WestJet said it also is cutting winter flights in and out of Quebec City, Fredericton, and Sydney, Nova Scotia. In a news release, WestJet said the changes are part of a strategic focus shift to concentrate more resources in the west, and to boost sun destination Read more

A quiet, green, tasty oasis in the heart of the city. If you love outdoor dining and the action of downtown Toronto, but you’re not a fan of noisy traffic and automobile exhaust, the patio at Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square is the perfect place for you. The patio is surrounded by small palm trees and thriving, colourful begonias in shades of pink and salmon. It’s a lush retreat that was pleasant and cool on a recent, warm summer evening. Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square is across the street from the Scotiabank Arena on Bremner Boulevard. The eastern Read more

As if Canada’s skies and airports weren’t chaotic enough this summer, there’s now the threat of a West Jet workers’ strike. WestJet workers in Calgary and Vancouver have voted overwhelmingly to support the bargaining committee and take strike action if a deal cannot be reached, as early as July 27, 2022, says Unifor. “The union is fighting for better wages,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “The pay scale has not been increased for more than five years, making WestJet’s wages among the lowest in the Canadian aviation industry and no match for soaring inflation. We are Read more

The Canadian travel boom continues. Toronto-based Porter Airlines has placed a firm order for 20 Embraer E195-E2 passenger jets, adding to their existing 30 firm orders. Porter has said intends to fly the E195-E2s to popular business and leisure destinations throughout Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, from Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and Toronto Pearson International Airport. The deal, with a list price value of US$1.56 billion, brings Porter’s orders with Embraer to a total of up to 100 E195-E2 aircraft, with 50 firm commitments and 50 purchase rights. In 2021, Porter ordered 30 Embraer E195-E2 jets, with purchase Read more

Published reports say Canada’s newest leisure carrier, Canada Jetlines, has officially launched reservations for departures starting August 15. In a report at OpenJaw.com, the airline said that, pending final government approval, it plans to launch flights that day between Toronto Pearson and both Winnipeg and Moncton. “Canada Jetlines is fully staffed and ready to fly. As a start-up during the pandemic, we emphasize preparation and collaboration and are currently equipped to accommodate and welcome guests to travel with us,” said Eddy Doyle, CEO of Canada Jetlines. “Our team is particularly appreciative of the ongoing support from the various government agencies Read more