Aimia to partner with Air Transat & Flair; still open to AC purchase

Air
08-07-2018 9:36 am
Blake Wolfe

Blake Wolfe

Blake Wolfe is an award-winning journalist and editor, who joined PAX after nearly 10 years in Canada’s newspaper industry. In addition to PAX, his work has been featured in publications such as the Metroland Media group of newspapers and the Toronto Sun.

Aimia has now added Air Transat and Flair Airlines as preferred partners effective July 2020, just days after announcing that it would partner with Porter Airlines and amidst a purchase negotiation by an Air Canada-led consortium - an offer which Aimia remains to.

READ MORE: Aimia remains open to AC offer, says CEO

The Air Transat partnership will allow travellers to earn and redeem Aeroplan miles all Air Transat flights and vacation packages. With Flair, Aeroplan members will be able to both earn Aeroplan Miles when booking flights on Flair routes and redeem for flights at fixed-rate fares.

"We are thrilled about this agreement in principle and look forward to Air Transat, recently recognized by Skytrax as the World`s Best Leisure Airline, partnering with Aeroplan for its members' leisure travel needs to some 60 destinations in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East," said Joseph Adamo, Chief Distribution Officer, Transat.

"At Flair we provide affordable flight options for Canadians. Our arrangement with Aeroplan helps further that commitment," said Jim Scott, CEO Flair Airlines. "Our passengers will now be rewarded for their loyalty with the ability to earn and redeem Aeroplan Miles for flights. This partnership strengthens our value proposition, giving more people the ability to fly to their preferred destination."

On Aug. 3, Aimia announced that it would be partnering with Porter Airlines to provide travellers with the ability to earn and redeem Aeroplan miles on flights booked through the Toronto-based airline.

Aimia still open to purchase offer

The latest partnership announcements come following a rejected purchase bid last week by a consortium consisting of Air Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Visa Canada. However, during an Aug. 3 conference call, Aimia CEO Jeremy Rabe stated that while the consortium’s initial bid was too low, the company would remain open to negotiations for a purchase. Rabe also stated last week that Aimia has also held discussions with the Oneworld airline alliance.

Aimia spokesperson Christa Poole confirmed to PAX that despite the latest partnership announcements, Aimia remains open to a negotiating a purchase by the Air Canada-led consortium.