AirlinesAir Canada aims to boost Toronto tourism with free stopoversAir Canada is offering free stopovers of up to seven days in Toronto to promote tourism. The promotion will last through the end of the year, thanks to funding from the city's tourism agency. "A lot of people travel internationally for business, so they can kill two birds with one stone by doing the stopover," said Lisa Pierce, senior director for US sales at Air Canada.
LinkAir France, KLM debut new cabins on Houston 777 flightsAir France-KLM is introducing new cabins on Houston flights on Boeing 777 aircraft. Air France is offering new La Première, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins on Houston-Paris routes. Air France’s nonstop Houston-Paris route is operated daily on a Boeing 777-300 and a -200. The new La Première suites are available on 777-300 aircraft, which Air France will operate on select flights to Houston starting April 8.
LinkAvianca names Microsoft executive Rincón as new CEOAvianca Holdings has named Microsoft Latin America president Hernán Rincón as its new CEO, replacing Fabio Villegas, who resigned in January. incón will also be CEO of Colombian flag carrier Avianca. Rincón’s appointment ends a CEO search that began when Villegas announced his intention to step down last July. Alvaro Jaramillo Buitrago had served as interim CEO since Villegas’s Jan. 17 departure. Rincón will formally take over April 4.
LinkDelta, pilots seek federal mediation in contract talksDelta Air Lines and its pilots, represented by the Air Lines Pilots Association (ALPA), are seeking US federal government mediation in their labor negotiations. The airline and ALPA’s Delta master executive council (MEC) have jointly filed with the US National Mediation Board (NMB) for mediation in collective bargaining contract talks.
LinkHawaiian Airlines looks ahead to robust 2016Like many other carriers in the United States, Hawaiian Airlines had a great year in 2015. It posted strong revenue numbers on its inter-island routes and also for its flights to the islands from the Mainland. Yet even though the year was profitable, Hawaiian did not perform well in all markets, struggling badly on international routes. This was due in part to competition from other airlines, but there were also other factors at play.
LinkMonarch Airlines owner considers strategic optionsLess than 18 months after taking control of UK carrier Monarch Airlines, its new owner is exploring strategic options for the London Luton Airport-based leisure operator. Greybull Capital has appointed a major bank to help it sift possible courses of action. It bought a controlling 90% stake in the airline’s parent company, Monarch Holdings, from the previous owners, the Swiss-Italian Mantegazza family, in fall 2014.
LinkRyanair, Volotea, open new European basesLow-cost carriers (LCC) Ryanair and Volotea are opening further bases in Europe, as they apply yet further pressure on legacy airlines and fellow LCCs. Ireland-based Ryanair will open its 83rd base in the Bulgarian capital Sofia on Oct. 30, while Spanish LCC Volotea has opened its eighth base, at Toulouse, southwest France.
LinkSouthwest adds Grand Rapids to Chicago routeGerald R. Ford International's travel portfolio is expanding once more: Southwest Airlines soon will fly to and from Grand Rapids and Chicago. Flights will begin taking off Tuesday, April 12, said Ford Airport spokeswoman Tara Hernandez. Upon arrival to Chicago's Midway International Airport, travelers then have non-stop connections to America's West and East coasts, with destinations in between.
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