CANADA: WestJet Inaugurates WestJet Link And Thanks Agents With 4% Commission

WestJet's regional airline WestJet Encore is celebrating five years of service with a sale-a-bration.

Travellers can book now and save up to 20% off Econo base fares between 20 select destinations in Canada and anywhere WestJet flies.

Bookings must be made by June 25, for travel September 15-25, 2018.

The news follows Wednesday's announcement that WestJet inaugurated its new regional airline service, WestJet Link, from Cranbrook and Prince George to Calgary. Service starts from Lethbridge and Lloydminster to Calgary on June 21 and Medicine Hat to Calgary on June 22.

Overall, WestJet Link connects five new cities to WestJet's growing hub at the YYC Calgary International Airport.

These new routes add to WestJet's existing leadership position in Calgary, offering more flights and seats to more destinations than any other airline with an average of 147 daily departures to 49 destinations.

In a move sure to cement their status with Manitoba sports fans, WestJet is making a call to fans of the Winnipeg Jets to board its jets headed to Las Vegas.

The airline announced that it's adding two special nonstop flights between Winnipeg and Las Vegas. WestJet is the only airline featuring non-stop service from Winnipeg to the McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

WestJet is thrilled to support the Winnipeg hockey community and our WestJetters in their love of Canada's game, said John Weatherill, WestJet Vice President, Pricing and Revenue Management and Chief Winnipeg Hockey Fan.

We look forward to flying the spirit of Canadian hockey to Las Vegas and welcoming fans on board our jets for a convenient nonstop flight he added.

WestJet's special flights will operate in both directions from Winnipeg to Las Vegas on May 17 and 20. Manitobans wishing to travel outside of these times can also fly nonstop from Winnipeg to Las Vegas, twice weekly this summer on Thursdays and Sundays or up to three times daily through Calgary.

Seats are for sale now and additional flights may be determined at the whims of the hockey gods. And maybe the Winnipeg goaltender.

This playoff series marks the first time a Winnipeg team has made it this far into the NHL playoffs. It's also a remarkable series given that the Golden Knights are an expansion team.

The winner of this series will play in the Stanley Cup finals, facing off against the winner of the Washington-Tampa Bay series.

With the potential labour action now resolved, WestJet is offering travel agents four per cent commission on all domestic Econo fares to thank its partners for their support.

Commission can now be earned on all Econo fares for new air-only bookings made between June 1 and June 30, 2018, for travel within Canada from June 1 to July 31, 2018.

We know the potential labour action caused frustration for you and your travellers, and we want to extend a sincere thank you to all our travel trade partners for your patience, said Lyell Farquharson, Vice-President, Sales and Distribution.

With the recent agreement to a settlement process, you and your clients can once again book with confidence. We are offering commission on additional Econo fares to recognize all our partners for your continued support over the last few weeks.

Full offer details are available at westjettravelagents.com.


Tourism Observer

USA: PSA Airlines Flight Cancellations Continue To Disappointment Of Passengers

A computer problem within PSA Airlines, an American Airlines regional carrier, forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights on Monday and Tuesday at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.

The problem has plagued American Airlines since last week. On Thursday and Friday, about 675 PSA flights were canceled because of a technical issue, it said.

An additional 50 flights were canceled on Saturday, and a ground stop was issued until 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Charlotte airport.

The company said in a statement on Tuesday that while it had stabilized its computer systems, it would take time to get back to normal operations.

The regional carrier, which operates 12 percent of America's 6,700 daily flights, canceled all flights the morning of Tuesday, June 19th, as it works though schedules, getting aircraft and crews where they need to be to resume operations, American Airlines said.

PSA will operate a reduced schedule over the next few days as it restores full service.

It added: We understand that these cancellations have been frustrating for our customers, and teams from PSA and American have been working around the clock to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.

The cancellations have been particularly disruptive because Charlotte Douglas International Airport is American Airlines' second-busiest airport, with more than 120,000 passengers cycling through on a given day, it said.

PSA flights to and from Philadelphia and Reagan National Airport in Washington have also experienced delays or cancellations.

It started on Thursday, and they thought they had it fixed, and it's kind of slowly still becoming an issue, Katie Cody, an American Airlines spokeswoman, said.

Cody said the issue seemed to be technical, involving hardware for scheduling and tracking pilots and flight attendants.

PSA, founded in 1995, is a smaller offshoot of American Airlines' main operations.

It flies a fleet of Bombardier jets seating 50 to 79 passengers per plane under the American Eagle brand in the Midwest and the East Coast.

Some people affected by the cancellations have expressed their frustrations on Twitter.


Tourism Observer

QATAR: Qatar Airways With 168 Aircraft And 330 Jets On Order, Lands Its Newest Plane To America

Qatar Airways is ramping up its expansion into the United States regardless of whatever concerns American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines may have.

This week, Qatar Airways announced plans to commence service between its home base in Doha, Qatar, and the US using its new fleet of Airbus A350 jets.

A350 service in the US kicks off January 1 on the airline's Doha-to-Philadelphia route.

"We are proud to be the first commercial airline to land the Airbus A350 in the United States," Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said in a statement.

"As the global launch customer of this new-generation aircraft, we are excited to introduce it to the American market."

Qatar Airways currently flies to 152 destinations around the world, including New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, Houston, and Washington, D.C.

The airline plans to open routes from Doha to Los Angeles in January, Boston in March, and Atlanta in June.

The Persian Gulf-based airline has grown rapidly over the past decade and now boasts a fleet of 168 aircraft with another 330 jets on order, which are valued at more than $70 billion.

In June, Qatar Airways was named Airline of the Year for 2015 by the leading aviation consumer organization Skytrax. It's a prize the airline also took home in 2011 and 2012.

Qatar's success has not come without pitfalls. American, United, and Delta Air Lines have accused Qatar along with Etihad Airways and Emirates of fueling its palatial terminals, luxury service, and massive fleets with $42 billion in government subsidies.

Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad deny these accusations. The coalition of US airlines has petitioned the US State Department to reevaluate the "Open Skies" agreements between the US and the Gulf states that allow airlines to fly freely between the countries.

Al Baker said that whatever money his airline had received from the Qatari government had been in the form of investment in exchange for equity.

Etihad CEO James Hogan echoed Baker's sentiments, telling Business Insider: "At the end of the day. We have a shareholder who placed equity in the airline who gave us loans to be repaid. That's what people do when they invest in the business."

"We've done nothing improper," Hogan continued. "We've created a great airline, with great service, created value, and the accounts are audited by one of the top accounting firms in the world."

Qatar is the launch partner for the Airbus A350-900 twin-engine long-range airliner. The airline expects to have eight of the jets in its fleet by the end of the year, with 72 more on order.

The A350 is powered by two powerful and efficient Rolls-Royce Trent turbofan engines. The jet can carry as many as 325 passengers in three different classes, with a fuel range of about 8,700 miles.

USA: DoubleTree by Hilton Welcomes Newest Hotel In Laurel, Maryland

DoubleTree by Hilton today debuted DoubleTree by Hilton Laurel, a modern 208-room property, conveniently situated between Washington and Baltimore. The hotel opens following a $5 million comprehensive transformation of the Holiday Inn Laurel West, which includes a total redesign of the lobby, fully-updated guest rooms and meeting spaces, new furnishings throughout the property, and a completely renovated atrium entrance. DoubleTree by Hilton Laurel is owned by Sotherly Hotels and managed by Chesapeake Hospitality.

“DoubleTree by Hilton Laurel has been completely refreshed and ready for business and leisure travelers visiting Washington and Baltimore, with convenient access to both destinations,” said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “We are excited for guests to experience our DoubleTree by Hilton hospitality in this prime location, and to welcome guests with our signature warm chocolate chip cookie at check-in and with the little touches that make a big difference throughout their stay.”

The six-story DoubleTree by Hilton Laurel unveils a contemporary design made complete with a glass-domed atrium entrance, warm wood accents and a modern color palette of greys, browns and blues. Locally-inspired artwork adorns the walls throughout the property, and inviting guest rooms offer an array of updated features including 42″ HDTVs, mini refrigerators, in-room safes, and spacious work desks with connectivity panels.

Additional complimentary offerings include Wi-Fi throughout the hotel’s public areas and guest rooms, a 24-hour business center and 24-hour fitness center featuring Precor equipment. The hotel also offers free shuttle service within a five mile radius of the hotel. A 24-hour on-site laundry facility is also available for guests’ convenience.

As part of its renovation, the hotel debuts an updated restaurant, All American Sports Grille, open for all-day dining with seasonal lunch and dinner menus featuring regionally-inspired fare with an eclectic twist. Guests can also start their day with the brand’s Wake Up DoubleTree Breakfast and American-inspired à la carte lunch items at the Atrium Café, while those preferring to dine in the comfort of their room can conveniently order room service.

Featuring nine event rooms totaling more than 13,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the hotel offers guests a variety of room options, making it the ideal setting for gatherings and events of up to 300 people. For smaller groups, the hotel offers the Meetings Simplified by DoubleTree by Hilton package from $58 per person, which includes the meeting room, basic meeting Wi-Fi, meeting room supplies including a flipchart, markers, extension and power cord, and all day non-alcoholic beverage service. Catering services and a dedicated event staff are available to enhance any event.

“Laurel is a bustling city that is quickly becoming a popular destination for travelers from across the country. We are excited to open the doors of DoubleTree by Hilton Laurel and meet our community’s increasing need for full-service accommodations and event space,” said Doug Leedke, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Laurel. “By pairing the property’s legacy ownership company, Sotherly Hotels, with the renowned DoubleTree by Hilton brand, DoubleTree by Hilton Laurel is poised to become visitors’ hotel of choice.”

DoubleTree by Hilton Laurel is just 19 miles from Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and is convenient to many businesses and attractions in the area. Visitors can try their luck at nearby Maryland Live Casino or at Laurel Park racetrack, attend a concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion or skate at Gardens Ice house. Active travelers will enjoy the nearby public golf course, and public parks complete with children’s playgrounds, and jogging and bike trails. Those traveling for business will appreciate the close proximity to a number of corporate offices, including UPS, Capital One, Stantec, SunTrust, Eaton Corporation, USDA, FDA and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

In addition to the iconic warm chocolate chip cookie welcome, guests will enjoy other DoubleTree by Hilton brand amenities, including an assortment of gourmet in-room tea and coffee choices from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, the refreshing London-based Aroma Actives natural skin and body care line, and an industry-recognized service culture built around the idea of CARE, which stands for Create a Rewarding Experience for guests, team members and the community.

DoubleTree by Hilton Laurel participates in the Hilton HHonors® loyalty program, which is open to all guests and free to join – visit here for enrollment information. HHonors members always get our lowest price with our Best Price Guarantee, along with HHonors Points, free standard Wi-Fi, access to digital check-in and Digital Key, and no hidden fees, only when they book directly through Hilton. To mark the hotel’s opening, Hilton HHonors members will earn double bonus points through March 31, 2016. Based on availability, Gold and Diamond members will also enjoy free premium Wi-Fi and upgrades to the hotel’s exclusive Hilton HHonors floor. Additionally, Diamond Hilton HHonors guests will enjoy complimentary Wake Up DoubleTree Breakfast.

GERMANY: Lufthansa Is The Sixth Largest Airline In The World

When measured in ASKs, Lufthansa is the sixth largest airline in the world, beaten only by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Emirates, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines when considering this week’s operations (using OAG Schedules Analyser data). Looking back to S06 using this metric, the German national carrier was still in sixth spot, but was the #2 in Europe, behind American, United, Delta, Continental Airlines and British Airways. The Star Alliance carrier’s main base has been Frankfurt Airport for decades, as it is today. It currently commands 67% frequency share at Germany’s largest and Europe’s third largest hub, a figure that has gradually improved (or worsened depending on your views on control of slots at hubs) over the last 10 years, having been 61% in September 2006.

Matching this recent increase in dominance at Frankfurt are the airline’s number of weekly frequencies and destinations. Our data elves thought that the step-change in weekly frequencies (up to around 3,000) and points served (up to over 160) which was observed in 2011 was due to the airport opening its fourth runway. However, this piece of infrastructure did not ‘officially’ open until October 2011 (we know that because we were there), which might mean that the runway’s capacity was being utilised before (our data is looking at week commencing 22 September) the ‘official’ opening on 21 October. Answers on a postcard please to the Editor…
Domestic market dominates

This summer, Lufthansa operates to 67 country markets from its main hub, one more than in the same week last year ‒ gaining Iceland, with Reykjavik/Keflavik thrice-weekly services having launched on 2 May ‒ and significantly more than its southern German hub in Munich, which, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data, by comparison offers just 47 country markets in S15. Capacity to Lufthansa’s second biggest country market (as measured by seats) ‒ the US ‒ has been enhanced this week, with the start of a Lufthansa CityLine/Jump-operated five times weekly route to Tampa on 25 September.

While at many European airports, and indeed at the continent’s main hubs, domestic capacity would appear to be being replaced (and forced onto alternative land-based modes) with more lucrative international and intercontinental flying, this does not appear to be the case for Lufthansa at Frankfurt. In the last 12 months, it has added another 1.7% more seat capacity into its domestic routes, seeing it pass the 100,000 weekly seats mark. Capacity within Germany therefore remains at a healthy 18.5% of all seats offered by Lufthansa at its main hub, no doubt underlining the importance of home-market feed for the airline.

Demark, which has witnessed a 16% increase in seats since last September (partly thanks to the launch of services to Aalborg at the start of the summer season), has replaced Russia within the airline’s top 12 country markets, with the latter seeing a 32% culling of weekly seats as the frosty political and economic relations continue. Poland also produced double digit growth (10%) in the last year, due in part to a new four times weekly service to Bydgoszcz, launched on 29 March. The market experiencing the most significant fall in capacity is France (down 4.5%), which when combined with Spain’s 7.3% increase, has seen the latter leapfrog the former into fifth spot behind the UK.
Paris CDG feels the pinch

Lufthansa’s capacity to Europe’s second largest airport and competing hub at Paris CDG has been reduced from the levels planned a year ago, with nearly 11% fewer seats available. Rome Fiumicino encountered the next largest drop in offered seats, with a 5.2% annual decline. At the other end of the scale, three airports mustered double-digit increases over the same period, led by Brussels (+13%), and closely followed by London Heathrow (+11.3%) and Hamburg (+10.9%). The top 12 routes in September 2015 represented 26% of all of Lufthansa’s Frankfurt capacity, up marginally from the 25.7% recorded in 2014.

Hannover drops out of the top 12, only to be replaced by another domestic connection to Düsseldorf, which was 15th in the 2014 listing. The biggest route for Lufthansa outside of Europe is now Shanghai Pudong, in 15th position overall. Despite annual seat growth of less than 1% since last September, the Chinese route has climbed from 17th spot it held in 2014, jumping ahead of last year’s biggest non-European route – New York JFK – which due to its 4% seat reduction has fallen from 16th to 17th. However, the 12% increase in weekly seats offered by Lufthansa to Los Angeles from its Frankfurt hub has seen it draw level with JFK, as both airports have a seven-day capacity of 6,111 seats.

In terms of ASKs Lufthansa’s top 10 routes from Frankfurt are dominated by US destinations, which feature six times. Los Angeles and Shanghai Pudong lead the way (both served double-daily) with almost 50% more ASKs than third-placed New York JFK. Rounding out the top 10 are Singapore, Chicago, Washington, San Francisco, Johannesburg, Seoul and Boston.
Luxembourg and Nairobi next

Looking ahead to what is left of 2015 and onto 2016, Lufthansa is planning to launch two further routes from its Frankfurt hub this October. After a 16-year hiatus in services, a four times weekly route to Nairobi ‒ operated again by its CityLine/Jump subsidiary ‒ is planned from 25 October, and on the same day the carrier will commence four daily flights to Luxembourg. In addition, CityLine/Jump-operated twice-weekly, A340-300 services to Cancún (8 December), Malé (9 December) and Mauritius (10 December) will be launched later in the year, with five times weekly services to Panama City pencilled-in for 2 March 2016.

USA: US Eases Rules For Travel

The Obama administration eased rules Friday for U.S. citizens wishing to travel to Cuba or do business with its growing ranks of independent entrepreneurs, hoping to kindle greater economic freedom on the island.

The Treasury and Commerce departments said the regulations that take effect Monday simplify procedures for tourism, telephone and Internet investments, and money transfers to Cuba.

The changes were first reported Thursday and come as both countries seek to transform their new diplomatic relationship into deeper commercial ties. By the end of the year, the former Cold War foes should resume direct postal service for the first time in five decades and clinch an agreement on regularly scheduled commercial flights, a U.S. official familiar with the process said.

"A stronger, more open U.S.-Cuba relationship has the potential to create economic opportunities for both Americans and Cubans alike," Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said in a statement. Easing the embargo on Cuba, he said, will "support the Cuban people in their effort to achieve the political and economic freedom necessary to build a democratic, prosperous and stable Cuba."

Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said the new rules could "stimulate long overdue economic reform across the country."

When President Barack Obama laid out his vision of improved U.S.-Cuban relations nine months ago, he said his objectives were twofold: ease economic hardship in Cuba and aid the development of a private market outside of state control.

In January, he eased economic restrictions on Cuba in potentially the most dramatic manner since relations between the countries broke down after Fidel Castro's revolution in 1959 and the subsequent Bay of Pigs invasion and Cuban missile crisis. Only Congress can end the embargo.

The action sought to cut red tape for U.S. travel to Cuba, permit American companies to export telephones, computers and Internet technology, and allow U.S. firms to send supplies to private Cuban enterprises. But efforts to expand business, tourism and other exchanges ran into an overlapping thicket of U.S. laws and hindrances, not to mention an uneven response from Cuba's political leaders.

Many U.S. travelers still need to go on supervised group trips. Routine airline service hasn't satisfied various federal conditions. Cruise ships and ferries are still trying to finalize regular maritime routes with Cuban authorities. Credit card and other companies still can't transfer payments to Cuba. Telecommunications companies haven't been able to set up shop and get equipment to the island 90 miles south of Florida. And Cuba's government isn't even running its Internet connections anywhere near capacity levels.

Authorized American citizens now will be able to travel by cruise ship or ferry to Cuba without seeking specific authorization from the U.S. government, though a U.S. official said earlier this week that a direct maritime route probably won't be established until next year. The official wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the process and demanded anonymity.

All U.S. citizens who fall under permitted rules for travel also are permitted to open and maintain bank accounts in Cuba.

The U.S. official described significant progress in U.S.-Cuban discussions since the pair reopened embassies in each other's capitals in July. At a meeting in Havana last week, delegations from each side established a plan to settle a half-century of economic and legal disputes within the next 15 months.

While difficult questions related to human rights and compensation claims won't be resolved immediately, the official said first steps toward a broader normalization of ties would come quickly.

Washington and Havana are slated to begin a "pilot program" allowing Cubans and Americans to send mail directly to one another, the official said. Direct mail service was halted in 1963, though letters and packages travel back and forth through countries like Canada and Mexico. The postal program will use the Miami and Havana airports, the official said.

Also, the U.S. and Cuba should finalize an agreement on resuming direct, commercial airline routes, though the first flights wouldn't start until next year.

QATAR: Qatar Airways Launches Doha To Abha In Saudi Arabia

Amongst other VIPs, the ceremony at Abha to mark the start of the four times weekly operation by the oneworld member from Doha was hosted by Qatar Airways SVP Aero Political & Regulatory Affairs, Ali Al-Rais, along with Engineer Tariq Al-AbdulJabbar, Assistant VP of Domestic Airports. The celebrations were followed by an exchange of gifts in the presence of local media.

Qatar Airways has launched a new service to its eighth destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with four flights a week to Abha (AHB). The city of Abha is the capital of Asir, a south-western province in KSA. The inaugural flight from Doha (DOH) landed on 2 September.

“We have been steadily growing our presence and services to Saudi Arabia for the past 18 years,” said Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker. “As our eighth destination in the Kingdom, Abha will bring additional flexibility for passengers connecting from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.

From Abha, our passengers will now be able to travel seamlessly through our state-of-the-art Doha hub Hamad International Airport to popular cities such as London, Paris, Bangkok, Singapore, New York and Washington. At the same time this will provide passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia from international markets the convenience of another gateway.”

Qatar Airways began operations to the KSA in 1997 with non-stop flights to Jeddah. The airline has since added Riyadh, Dammam, Madinah, Gassim, Taif and Hofuf to its portfolio of destinations and currently operates 84 weekly flights to Saudi Arabia. The new route will be operated by the airline’s 144-seat A320s with no direct competition.

USA: Alaska Airlines Support For Washington Wildfire Relief Efforts

Alaska Airlines steps up support for Washington wildfire relief efforts.Wildfires currently burning in the state of Washington are the largest in the state’s history, and Alaska Airlines has pledged to do what it can to help with relief efforts.

Firefighters are battling 16 large wildfires consuming about 600,000 acres (an area nearly seven times the size of the city of Seattle) across Eastern Washington. The fires have killed three firefighters, destroyed more than 200 homes and threaten more than 12,000 additional structures.