WestJet’s controversial takeover of Sunwing is set to be approved today by the Trudeau government. WestJet also has been given federal licenses for flights to Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia. The Globe and Mail this morning (March 10) reported that the announcement will be made today, providing WestJet with a huge increase in its share of the packaged vacation business. Calgary-based WestJet and Toronto-based Sunwing announced the proposed merger in March, 2022. The federal Competition Bureau later stated that the takeover would lead to fewer choices for Canadian travellers, and higher prices. The Globe story said the Trudeau Read more
travel news
According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, 93% of them have trips planned in the next six months, the highest level in three years. A fifth of them have trips planned within a month, a quarter will travel in one to two months and almost a third have travel planned in three to five months. “Inflation, higher interest rates and other economic headwinds are no match for consumer demand for travel,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International. “The outlook for spring break travel and summer travel is very positive.” The latest Destination Analysts Read more
On their highly anticipated flight from Toronto to sunny Cancun, Golnar Adhami was getting a head start on some rest and relaxation while her future husband-to-be, Behfar Sanjari, who she met 17 years prior, prepared for the speech of a lifetime. In front of a captivated audience with the cabin crew at his side, Behfar took over the intercom to deliver a loving and heartfelt message that would eventually bring Golnar, family and friends and a full Sunwing flight to happy tears. Nearly two decades ago, Behfar and Golnar met as many do – at a party. Golnar was hosting, Read more
Toronto Pearson to Limit Flights This Spring + Summer; China Tourism Rebound and Scenic Cruises 2024
Toronto Pearson Airport officials say they’ll begin capping the number of passengers who can fly to the U.S. or come into the country from Europe. In a statement sent to me today by email, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) said it has “taken decisive measures designed to flatten peak-hour schedules for the March Break and the upcoming summer season” by controlling the number of passengers who go through the airport each hour. “These include hard limits on the number of commercial flights that can arrive or depart in any given hour along with limits on business/general aviation flights. In Read more
Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. is entering a partnership with Montréal Saint-Hubert Airport (YHU) to develop a new terminal capable of serving more than four million passengers annually. Construction will commence in mid-2023, with a scheduled completion by late 2024, providing a second airport for Porter Airlines to serve the Montréal market. Porter will continue expanding its existing operations at Montréal’s Trudeau Airport (YUL), while also introducing a Canada-wide network at the convenient YHU airport. More than 10 potential YHU routes have been initially identified, spanning from Vancouver in the west to St. John’s, N.L., in the east. The airline also Read more
