Flair Airlines, Canada’s everyday low fare airline, today announced the expansion of its base at Region of Waterloo International Airport in southern Ontario. Flair announced service from Waterloo to Charlottetown and Saint John, both beginning in June. Charlottetown will be flown two times per week on Thursdays and Sundays, while St. John will be flown three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Service to Charlottetown Airport begins on June 9, with service to Saint John beginning on June 8. One-way fares to Charlottetown and Saint John, including taxes and fees, begin at $29. There are limited seats and Read more
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Air Canada’s finances are definitely on the rise. The Montreal-based airline today reported fourth quarter 2021 operating revenues of $2.731 billion. That’s 30 per cent higher than in the third quarter of 2021, and over three times fourth quarter 2020 operating revenues. AC reported a fourth quarter 2021 operating loss of $503 million compared to an operating loss of $1.003 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020. For the full year of 2021, Air Canada reported operating revenues of $6.400 billion, compared to 2020 operating revenues of $5.833 billion. Also for the full year, it reported a 2021 operating loss Read more
Porter Airlines is boosting its presence in the Maritimes in a big way with three new non-stop routes connecting downtown Toronto’s Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Halifax, Fredericton and Moncton. Non-stop Halifax service begins April 7, featuring up to three daily roundtrips in summer, while Fredericton and Moncton both start May 5, with one daily year-round non-stop flight each. This new service is in addition to existing flights for each market that stop in Montreal or Ottawa, and don’t require passengers to change aircraft. “These three established Porter markets in Atlantic Canada will see significant service improvements with new Read more
Switzerland is easing travel restrictions on Thursday, making it much easier for Canadians and others to visit. Swiss tourism officials tell me that fully vaccinated Canadians (vaccinated within the last 270 days) may enter Switzerland. They no longer need a Swiss Covid Certificate or a Passenger Locator Form. There are no more mask requirements in shops, restaurants or other public settings, such as event spaces, and there are no more restrictions on private gatherings. Masks are required for public transportation and health institutions until March 31. NEW HEAD HONCHO AT WESTJET Alexis von Hoensbroech is officially the new CEO at Read more
There are more positive signs pointing to a travel rebound this year and in the coming years, both for leisure and business travel. According to a report from Reuters, Spanish tourism officials expect the country’s tourism gross domestic product to reach $186 billion CAD in 2022. That would be 88% of pre-pandemic levels, versus just 57% for last year. Officials said they expect to return to full pre-pandemic activity by 2023. It’s not just Spain that’s painting a rosy tourism picture. The Global Business Travel Association this week said global business travel spending is expected to surge in 2022. The Read more
