Get ready for higher airline prices in Canada. Airline and travel industry experts say WestJet’s decision to wind down Sunwing Airlines over the next two years will mean more inflation for consumers. “It’s going to mean higher prices and worse service,” Gabor Lukacs, president of Air Passenger Rights, a Halifax-based advocacy organization, told the Globe and Mail. While WestJet’s decision to wind down Sunwing Airlines operations will almost certainly lead to higher prices, McGill University aviation expert John Gradek told that the Globe that that’s just one of several issues that Ottawa needs to address in the airline industry. “The Read more
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Competition in Canadian skies is about to decrease by a very large amount. Just days after WestJet officials revealed they were merging Swoop Airlines into mainline operations, it now appears they’re going to fold Sunwing Airlines. Canadian Press reports WestJet is planning to wind down Sunwing Airlines, “integrating the low-cost carrier into its mainline business within two years as part of a plan to streamline operations.” In an internal memo obtained by The Canadian Press, Sunwing Airlines president Len Corrado said the change will open up markets for the 18-year-old company as well as its workers. “WestJet will eventually move Read more
The fast-paced airline recovery continues in Canada, with a strong financial report today from Transat A.T. Inc. “For the second quarter of 2023, Transat reported a solid performance, with an adjusted operating income of $56.1 million, nearly 40% higher than in the same quarter of 2019,” said officials from the company, which runs Montreal-based Air Transat. “At mid-year, and based on current booking trends, we are raising the target for the adjusted operating income margin from the initially set range of 4% to 6% to a target of 5.5% to 7% for the fiscal year.” “Several factors contributed to the Read more
A new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council predicts the Canadian tourism and travel industry is poised for a major rebound and is close to recovering to 2019 levels. The council’s 2023 Economic Impact Research (EIR) reveals the Canadian Travel & Tourism sector continues to show strong signs of post-pandemic recovery. According to the latest report, the sector is set to contribute $162.6 billion to the Canadian economy this year, up 17.2% from last year and within touching distance of the previous peak of $173.9 billion in 2019. WTTC is also forecasting that Travel & Tourism will create Read more
Brace yourselves, Canada: a WestJet pilots strike or lockout could begin Friday. WestJet pilots have issued a 72-hour strike notice to the company and the government, and their union is warning that the airline could be shut down just before the busy May long weekend. Meanwhile, Flair Airlines says it’s adding flights in Western Canada to help passengers who might be stranded by a WestJet pilots’ strike or company lockout. The Air Line Pilots Association said in a news release late Monday that WestJet pilots plan to begin lawful job action early Friday morning, which the release said “could include Read more
