Boeing Expands Pilot Development Program with Okay Airways

Boeing has expanded its commercial Pilot Development Program (PDP) with the addition of Okay Airways to its growing customer list. The airline joins recent customers Kunming Airlines and YTO Airlines. All three carriers are based in China.

Air Canada to Launch Daily, Seasonal Calgary-Palm Springs and Edmonton-Las Vegas Flights Next Winter

Air Canada announced on Tuesday that it plans to launch daily, seasonal flights between Calgary and Palm Springs, and between Edmonton and Las Vegas starting October 28, 2018.  

"We are very pleased to offer additional convenient travel options to Albertans with non-stop flights from Calgary and Edmonton to Palm Springs and Las Vegas respectively this winter," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. "Concurrent with our fleet renewal, we are strategically adding these new routes and also increasing frequencies to other popular sun destinations to meet expected demand both locally, and from customers connecting off our international flights."

Air Canada is also increasing the frequency of its flights from Calgary to Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Phoenix, and from Vancouver to Phoenix and Palm Springs.

SkyWest, Inc. Reports Combined February 2018 Traffic for SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines

SkyWest, Inc. reported 135,000 block hours in February 2018, compared to 137,100 block hours in February 2017, a decrease of 2,100 or 1.6%.  The net decrease was consistent with SkyWest's fleet transition plan to improve the mix of aircraft in its fleet by adding new E175 aircraft while reducing its 50-seat jets.

The year-over-year net change was primarily driven by approximately 6,000 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 8,100 block hours from its other aircraft types.

In February 2018, SkyWest's dual class aircraft represented approximately 52% of SkyWest's total block hour production for the month compared to approximately 48% for the month of February 2017.       

SkyWest reported 282,700 block hours for year-to-date February 2018, compared to 290,800 block hours year-to-date February 2017, a decrease of 8,100, or 2.8%.  This net change was primarily driven by approximately 13,200 additional block hours from its E175 aircraft and a decrease of approximately 21,300 block hours from its other aircraft types.

SkyWest had 76,100 departures in February 2018 compared to 80,400 in February 2017, a decrease of 4,300, or 5.4%.  Additional flight statistics for February are included in the accompanying table.

Toronto Pearson Named Best Large Airport in North America

Courteous and helpful staff and improvements to airport ambiance have inspired passengers travelling through Toronto Pearson in 2017 to award Canada's largest airport an Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award and the title of Best Large Airport, serving more than 40 million annual passengers, in North America by Airports Council International (ACI), the global organization representing the world's airports.

Airports Council International recognizes 

Toronto Pearson for Customer Service Excellence

Aeromexico renews strategic partnership with Sabre

Sabre Corporation the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, has renewed its partnership with Aeromexico – Mexico's flag carrier that services 90 destinations in 25 countries. This agreement fortifies a long-standing partnership between the companies, with an emphasis on meeting the airline's evolving business and technology needs while providing access to new capabilities across retailing, distribution and fulfillment.

United Reports February 2018 Operational Performance

United Airlines reported February 2018 operational results yesterday, here are the basic details-

UAL's February 2018 consolidated traffic (revenue passenger miles) increased 5.7 percent and consolidated capacity (available seat miles) increased 3.8 percent versus February 2017. UAL's February 2018 consolidated load factor increased 1.4 points compared to February 2017.

The company continues to expect first-quarter 2018 consolidated passenger unit revenue to be flat to up 2.0 percent compared to the first quarter of 2017.

WestJet Launches Calgary - Denver Route

First Canadian airline operating nonstop 

from Calgary to Denver

Earlier the departure of flight 1570 from Calgary International Airport (YYC), WestJet became the first Canadian airline flying nonstop to Denver International Airport (DEN) from Calgary. The new service operates daily year-round.

"Denver is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts or those looking for the combination of cowboy heritage and cosmopolitan chic," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "We are proud to offer our guests this exciting destination with mass appeal. These added flights further demonstrate WestJet continues to provide the widest choice of destinations out of Calgary and the greatest convenience of all airlines flying from YYC."

Billy Bishop Airport ranked one of the top airports in North America by Airports Council International (ACI) for third consecutive year

Earlier this week, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was named one of the best Airports in North America for the third consecutive year in the Airports Council International's (ACI) 2017 Airport Service Quality Awards. Billy Bishop Airport tied for second place for Best Airport in North America (over 2 million passengers per year).

The 2017 ACI Awards are based on the passenger-driven results of ACI's Airport Service Quality Survey, which saw more than 600,000 in-depth passenger surveys conducted at more than 300 airports across 85 countries worldwide. The survey methodology is predicated on at least 1,200 surveys being conducted at each airport by ACI over the course of a year. The survey gathers information relating to passenger satisfaction across a number of key performance indicators for airport service including airport access, check-in, security screening, courtesy of staff and comfort of waiting areas. Billy Bishop Airport participated in the Airport Service Quality Survey – considered to be the world's benchmark measure of airport excellence – for the first time in 2015 when it received a third place ranking as one of the top North American airports.

BP and United Airlines Introduce the Only Joint Reward Program of Its Kind

Beginning this week, BP and United Airlines will offer BP Driver Rewards and United MileagePlus members the option of earning and using miles on fuel purchases at participating BP retail locations - but don't get too excited - the deal is only for folks in the USA. This is the only program in the U.S. that allows customers the ability to earn and use U.S. airline miles at the pump for gasoline purchases.

When BP Driver Rewards and MileagePlus members sign up for this new program, they can earn 200 bonus award miles after joining and making their first fuel purchase with a linked debit or credit card.* Members can multiply their earnings through the following options:

McArthurGlen Vancouver to commence construction of Phase II

After welcoming nearly ten million shoppers since opening in July 2015, the award-winning McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport is announcing the start of construction on Phase II. Scheduled to open in Spring 2019, Phase II will deliver 84,000 square feet of additional retail space and up to 35 new luxury, premium and lifestyle brands to the centre. In addition, the expansion will result in the creation of 400 jobs for the construction and retail sectors.

WestJet reports record February load factor as Gregg Saretsky retires and Ed Sims takes control.

WestJet today announced record February 2018 traffic results with a load factor of 86.4 percent, an increase of 1.2 percentage points year-over-year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 6.1 percent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 4.6 percent over the same period. WestJet flew a record 1.9 million guests in February, a year-over-year increase of 6.5 percent or approximately 120,000 additional guests.

More Nonstop Options On Southwest Airlines And Feb Results

Southwest Airlines Co. has released its figures for February as well as extended its bookable flight schedule through Nov. 3, 2018. This autumn, the carrier is adding more flights to link cities across the United States with nonstop service that will make it easier and quicker for Customers to reach people and places that are important in their lives.

The Company flew 9.0 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in February 2018, an increase of 3.5 percent from the 8.7 billion RPMs flown in February 2017. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 1.0 percent to 11.1 billion in February 2018, compared with February 2017 ASMs of 11.0 billion. The February 2018 load factor of 81.0 percent was a February record, compared with 79.0 percent in February 2017.

Southwest Airlines Honors Its New Orleans Service With State-Themed Tribute, Unveiling Louisiana One Aircraft

Southwest Airlines Co. celebrated the state of Louisiana, on Wednesday, thanking Customers and Employees for supporting its 39 years of service in New Orleans with the carrier's latest state-dedicated aircraft—Louisiana One—a Boeing 737-700, emblazoned with an artist's rendition of the Louisiana State flag.

"Southwest has been dedicated to the New Orleans community for 39 years," said Gary Kelly, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for Southwest Airlines. "I can't think of a better way to show our commitment to the state of Louisiana than with the dedication of Louisiana One, honouring our loyal Customers and Employees."

Air Canada To Launch New Service to Kauai, Double Frequency of Western Canada Flights to Hawaii

The airline Air Canada announced this week it aims to launch a new service to Kauai with its new mainline Boeing 737 MAX-8 fleet this winter.  The Canadian carrier will also be doubling the frequency of its flights from Western Canada to Hawaii, and all flights from Western Canada to Honolulu, Maui and Kona, and other popular sun destinations will feature Air Canada's new 737 aircraft.  

"The introduction of the fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to our fleet has given us tremendous flexibility to strategically enhance our already extensive North American network, and offer more flights to popular destinations with more connection options from our YVR and Calgary hub airports.  With 41 weekly flights next winter to Hawaii, we're very pleased to launch new flights to Kauai, as well as double the number of flights from Western Canada and offer day-time return flight options from Honolulu and Maui to Vancouver," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. "The new 737 MAX is the mainstay of our refreshed North American fleet, and customers are already enjoying the next generation of our onboard entertainment system, ample storage space in its generous overhead bins and the ability to stay connected during flight with wi-fi."

Aeromexico Reports February 2018 Traffic Results

Aeromexico  yesterday reported February 2018 operational results.
Grupo Aeromexico transported 1 million 586 thousand passengers in February; a 8.7% year-on-year increase. International passenger numbers increased by 17.1%, while domestic passenger numbers increased by 4.6%.
Demand, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs), increased by 19.1%, year-on-year. Aeromexico's capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs), increased by 14.8% year-on-year.
Aeromexico's February load factor was 78.8%, an increase of 2.8 p.p. compared to February 2017.