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Monday, March 13, 2023
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As previously reported, the Travel Edge Network has launched a new program that puts U.S. and Canada-based luxury travel advisors at the forefront of industry activities. Among the travel pros that applied to join, two Canadians were invited in – Alberta's Ajay Karah of Plan A Travel Solutions and Ontario's Laura Kelly of Elsewhere by Laura. PAX connected with both to learn more.
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Low-cost carrier Flair had four of its planes seized on Saturday (March 11) due to a “commercial dispute” with a New-York based hedge fund and aircraft lessor, according to reports. Several flights were cancelled as a result – just as the busy March Break travel period was ramping up
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“An important milestone.” That’s the phrase both Sunwing and WestJet used Friday (March 10) after WestJet got the government green light for its takeover of Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations. "We look forward to closing the transaction in the weeks ahead and officially joining the WestJet Group," Sunwing told PAX.
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Canadians are becoming increasingly agitated with the time it takes for the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) to resolve a complaint related to turbulent air travel. CBC News recently obtained four client satisfaction surveys conducted by the agency and the results show a rising level of dissatisfaction with air passenger compensation rules.
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B.C.-based Lois Hirtz of TravelOnly is a retired WestJetter who saw being a travel advisor as a way to keep her travel world going. In fact, she grew up on the airport tarmac (her Dad was a bush pilot). One of the first trips she ever took was with her family to the NWT and Yukon. Her motto in life? “We only get to go around this big blue marble once, make the best of each day," Hirtz says in today's Monday Minute.
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March Break, which ramps up this weekend, is one of the busiest times at Toronto Pearson airport. As such, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and Canada Border Services Agency have tips for lessening the impact of high traffic volumes. The GTAA is also limiting flights during peak times, which one union is calling a failure.
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Canadians love Switzerland, according to the latest data. The 2022 numbers released by the Swiss Federal Office of Statistics show a recovery of 83% in Canadian overnights in Switzerland, for a total of 227,658 nights. That is just short of the country’s record-breaking results in 2019. The "Grand Train Tour of Switzerland" will be in the spotlight this year.
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AmaWaterways has announced three new opportunities for guests to celebrate the African and Black diaspora on the rivers in 2024. Due to the “overwhelming demand” for the first-ever Soulful Epicurean Experience on the Rhône in France, embarking Aug. 24, 2023, two new June departure dates have been announced. Also added for 2024 are special voyages in Egypt.
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The Travel Institute has expanded its leadership in response to "record growth in recent years" and in order to manage ongoing growth, the company announce Monday (March 13). Guida Botelho has been promoted to senior director of education, while Taylor Ruecking has been promoted to senior director of marketing and technology.
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Lynx Air has added Fredericton to its network from June 12, 2023, offering new links between New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta.
The airline will offer three services a week between Fredericton International Airport (YFC) and both Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Toronto Pearson International (YYZ).
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Confirming earlier reports, the Government of Canada on Friday (March 10) officially approved the acquisition of Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines by WestJet Airlines. The deal, however, is subject to strict terms and conditions, says Transport Canada.
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After nearly 50 years in the travel industry, Jacques Gilbert has announced his plan to officially retire from the business. The AVP of client relationships at Manulife spoke to PAX about his career, which started in the 1970s at Quebec Air. Later in life, he worked at Transat Holidays and became a partner at Pottruff & Smith. “What I’m going to miss the most is the people,” Gilbert tells PAX.
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Patricia Di Benedetto went from running shoes to running strategies for cruise lines - she spent 15 years in the sportswear biz before jumping into the cruise industry. Today, she's the business relationship lead for Eastern Canada at Explora Journeys, MSC Group's new luxury brand. Here, PAX Checks In with Di Benedetto to discuss 5-course dinners in Greece, the time she ran more than 300 kilometres, and her idea of perfect happiness.
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