It’s a new day in Canadian aviation, as WestJet has been cleared to take over Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines. But the Trudeau government is imposing conditions, and also is pledging to strengthen Canada’s weak airline passenger protection laws. Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra today announced that following Transport Canada’s assessment of the public interest, the Government of Canada has approved the acquisition of Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines by WestJet Airlines Ltd., subject to strict terms and conditions that are in the interest of Canadians. The minister said Ottawa’s assessment of the propsed deal incorporated the findings of the Read more
business
A group of influential Toronto business and travel leaders are calling for Canada to quickly create its own trusted-traveller program, a move it said will boost Toronto Pearson Airport and boost the local economy. Leaders from Destination Toronto, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority today announced the formation of a coalition advocating for enhancements to air travel through Toronto Pearson and airports across Canada. The coalition – Innovate. Travel. Canada. (“ITC”) – is a group of business and local leaders joining forces to ensure Toronto’s status as a global beacon of air travel. The coalition, Read more
Acclaimed Canadian musician, actor and author, Jann Arden, is again partnering with Scenic for an unforgettable sailing on Portugal’s Douro River. The eight-day Delightful Douro sailing, Arden’s third river cruise with Scenic, is aboard the intimate 96-guest Scenic Azure. This truly all-inclusive cruise sails roundtrip out of World Heritage city of Porto, departing on October 30, 2023, and takes guests on an exploration of many of Portugal’s best sites – from the Baroque village of Lamego to the terraced vineyards and charming towns just beyond the banks of the country’s lifeline – the Douro. Pricing for the sailing starts at Read more
Canada’s largest two airlines have their eyes on Asia. A celebration was held at Vancouver International Airport Thursday night to mark Air Canada’s inaugural flight between YVR and Bangkok. Meanwhile, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has granted a license to WestJet for flights to Japan. WestJet hasn’t made an announcement, but the CTA website says WestJet “has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Japan, signed on January 12, 1955 (Agreement). “The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets Read more
The CBC reports that the backlog of complaints to the Canadian Transportation Agency related to delayed or cancelled flights or lost luggage has ballooned to more than 30,000 — up from 18,000 this summer — but the number may have peaked. The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) — a quasi-judicial tribunal and regulator tasked with settling disputes between airlines and customers — has been dealing with a massive number of air passenger complaints since new regulations came into force in 2019 that require an airline to compensate passengers when a flight is delayed or cancelled for a reason that is within Read more
