Tag Archives: Pearson

SkyGreece Airlines to file for bankruptcy protection and reorganization

SkyGreece Airlines (Athens) was a short-lived airline with interests in both Greece and Canada. The airline started operations on June 22, 2014 and abruptly ended all operations last month stranding passengers, especially in Canada. The company has issued this statement about its intention to file for bankruptcy protection in Canada:

SkyGreece Airlines, S.A. on September 3 announced that, with the authorization and approval of its board of directors, the company has filed a Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal (Notice of Intention) pursuant to the provisions of Part III of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) (Canada).

Pursuant to the Notice of Intention, Ernst & Young Inc. (EY) has been appointed as the trustee in the company’s proposal proceedings (the Proposal Trustee) and in that capacity will monitor and assist the company in its restructuring efforts.

It was determined by the company’s board of directors that as a result of the company’s current financial situation, seeking protection under the BIA would be in the best interests of the company and all of its stakeholders. This was a very difficult decision for SkyGreece. The company ultimately determined that this was the best course of action to ensure that all of its creditors, including passengers, were treated equitably. While under BIA protection, the company will continue with its efforts to resume service, while determining the best way to see that all parties are compensated fairly.

A Notice of Intention is the first stage of a restructuring process and allows the company to pursue a restructuring of its financial affairs and operations, through a formal Proposal to creditors. This filing has the effect of imposing an automatic stay of proceedings (Stay) that will protect the company and its assets from the claims of creditors and others while the company pursues its restructuring.

SkyGreece was founded with a commitment to providing economical, customer-focused air travel between Athens, Toronto, Montreal, Budapest, Zagreb and New York. In spite of its recent challenges, the company looks forward to serving passengers again soon and to doing everything it can to take care of those passengers who have been recently affected.

SkyGreece is actively working to quickly improve customer communications by establishing a customer and creditor support centre, which it hopes to have operational in the coming days.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyGreece Airlines Boeing 767-31A ER SX-BPN (msn 26470) is pictured sitting at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

United Airlines boosts in-flight entertainment with more content on more aircraft

United Airlines (Chicago) has announced “complimentary personal device entertainment is now available on regional jet aircraft”. The in-flight entertainment offerings now includes expanded HBO content, Vevo videos and concerts. The company issued these further details:
United Airlines is continuing the expansion of its “United Private Screening” in-flight entertainment with the launch of free personal device entertainment on two-cabin United Express regional jets; expanded HBO programming; and exclusively curated content from Vevo, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform.

United currently has one of the largest offerings of free streaming entertainment – already on more than 200 United aircraft – with scores of television shows and movies available for streaming directly to travelers’ laptop computers and iOS and Android mobile devices.

Customers on flights with personal device entertainment may enjoy popular films like “Birdman,” “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and the “Taken” trilogy, as well as kid-friendly favorites such as “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” and “The LEGO Movie.” Hours of popular television shows are also available and may include HBO’s “Veep” and “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” as well as “Mad Men,” “Orange is the New Black” and other hit shows.

Above Photo: United Airlines.

Regional Jet Entertainment and Onboard Experience

United has begun rolling out personal device entertainment on its fleet of more than 120 Wi-Fi-equipped United Express Embraer E170, E175 (above) and Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets, with more than half of these aircraft now offering free streaming entertainment. The airline plans to offer the service on all Wi-Fi-equipped regional jets by the end of next week.

The launch of personal device entertainment on regional jets follows United’s introduction this year of an all-new premium-cabin experience on United Express, featuring freshly prepared meals served on chinaware on regional jet flights of at least 800 miles.

Expanded HBO Content

Additionally, the airline has expanded HBO content on aircraft that offer personal device entertainment as well as on those with seatback on-demand entertainment. Available HBO entertainment includes full seasons of popular television shows such as “Entourage,” “Game of Thrones” and “True Detective.”

Videos and Concert Entertainment from Vevo

United has also joined with Vevo to offer hundreds of music videos and concert performances for customers to view at no charge on United aircraft offering personal device entertainment. Vevo content is also available through seatback on-demand entertainment.

Tribeca Film Festival

Meanwhile, United is in its second year as the official airline of the Tribeca Film Festival. Flights with live television, seatback on-demand entertainment and personal device entertainment offer unique in-flight content curated by Tribeca, including independent feature narratives and documentaries as well as short films.

Tablet Rentals

This summer, United also launched a pilot program offering tablets for rent on Boeing 777 flights between the continental United States and Honolulu and between Honolulu and Guam. The 8.4-inch tablets contain stored entertainment, including television shows, movies and games.

In-flight Entertainment Availability

United aircraft offer several in-flight entertainment options, with Wi-Fi also available on 85 percent of mainline aircraft and regional jets receiving the technology. In addition:

United plans to install personal device entertainment on more than 650 mainline and regional aircraft, including its intercontinental fleet;
The airline operates more than 200 intercontinental and p.s. Premium Service aircraft with seatback on-demand entertainment; and
Another 227 mainline aircraft offer live television, more than any other airline in the world.
Customers may learn before departure which entertainment option will be available by checking their flight status at united.com or via the United mobile app.

Top Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (E175) N86322 (msn 17000465) prepares to land at Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

United Express-Mesa Airlines aircraft slide show:

Air Canada rouge to introduce the Airbus A321 on December 16

Air Canada rouge (subsidiary of Air Canada) (Toronto) will soon be receiving five Airbus A321s from parent Air Canada (Montreal).

The leisure brand is planning to introduce the new type on December 16 on the Montreal (Trudeau) – Las Vegas route followed by Montreal (Trudeau) – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood service two days later per Airline Route.

Rouge will also introduce the A321 from Toronto (Pearson) on January 14, 2016 with flights to Punta Cana and Tampa, followed by Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Sarasota/Bradenton, Varadero and Phoenix.

Air Canada rouge aircraft slide show:

WestJet reports record second quarter net earnings

WestJet (Calgary) today announced its second quarter results for 2015, with net earnings of $61.6 million (all amounts in Canadian dollars) ($47.3 million US), or $0.49 per fully diluted share, as compared with the net earnings of $51.8 million, or $0.40 per fully diluted share reported in the second quarter of 2014.

The airline continued:

WestJet achieved an on-time performance rate of 91.3 percent in the second quarter, a year-over-year improvement of 6.8 percentage points, placing WestJet as the top performing North American airline during the quarter. Based on the trailing twelve months, the airline achieved a return on invested capital of 16.0 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points from the 15.8 per cent reported in the previous quarter.

“I would like to congratulate our more than 10,000 WestJetters on these exceptional second quarter results which marked our 5th quarter of consecutive record adjusted net earnings,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “The second quarter is historically our most challenging quarter as capacity is transitioned from southern to domestic markets, so it is particularly rewarding to turn in a double digit margin this quarter. With another quarter of record earnings, and after having exceeded our ROIC target for 12 consecutive quarters, we are pleased to announce that we are increasing our target to 13 to 16 per cent, while continuing our commitment to our brand of friendly, caring service and affordable fares.”

On July 27, 2015, WestJet’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per common voting share and variable voting share for the third quarter of 2015, to be paid on September 30, 2015, to shareholders of record on September 16, 2015. All dividends paid by WestJet are, pursuant to subsection 89(14) of the Income Tax Act, designated as eligible dividends, unless indicated otherwise. An eligible dividend paid to a Canadian resident is entitled to the enhanced dividend tax credit.

In other news, WestJet today announced it has begun rolling out its new inflight entertainment system featuring wireless Internet connectivity and more than 450 movies and television programs. Called WestJet Connect, the system will be activated on all of WestJet’s Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft and more than 30 percent of WestJet’s Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft by end of 2015, with installations on the majority of the 737 fleet expected to be completed in 2016.

Mobile devices and tablets using either iOS or Android operating systems will need the latest version of the WestJet app prior to boarding. Guests will also be able to access WestJet Connect using their laptops. Tablet rentals will be available on flights longer than three hours and 20 minutes for guests who do not have their own device. The WestJet app will take guests to the WestJet Connect home page where they can begin accessing content. Seats on WestJet Connect-equipped aircraft have 110-volt and/or USB power outlets, allowing guests the opportunity to charge or power their devices.

At launch, WestJet Connect will feature 85 movies and 329 TV programs, including expanded content in French. Content will be refreshed on a monthly basis and will be offered at no charge for an introductory period. The system’s Internet connectivity will be available at an introductory price of $7.99 plus applicable taxes for the duration of each flight.

Once installation is complete, WestJet Connect will be available on all WestJet flights operated on Boeing Next-Generation 737s or 767-300 ER aircraft.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. WestJet Airlines’ Boeing 737-8CT WL C-GWSZ (msn 37092) in the special Walt Disney World – Magic Plane scheme arrives at Toronto (Pearson).

WestJet aircraft slide show:

Air Canada to transfer more winter routes to rouge

Air Canada (Montreal) is planning to transfer additional routes to its leisure subsidiary Air Canada rouge (Toronto-Pearson) (YYZ) for the upcoming winter season. According to Airline Route, the carrier will transfer or start the following routes:

Toronto – Sarasota/Bradenton (A319) (October 24)

Toronto – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (A319 and 767-300) (October 25)

Toronto – Panama City (767-300) (October 25)

Montreal – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (A319 and 767-300) (December 16)

Vancouver – Kona, Hawaii (767-300) (December 19)

Montreal – Tampa (A319) (January 15, 2016)

Montreal – West Palm Beach (A319) (January 15)

Montreal – Nassau (A319) (January 17)

Toronto – Barbados (767-300) (January 7)

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Not operating under the rouge brand, Air Canada’s Boeing 767-3Q8 ER C-FJZK (msn 29386) waits for the next assignment at the YYZ base.

Air Canada slide show:

Air Canada rouge aircraft slide show:

Air Canada gets ready for the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, will increase the new Toronto-Delhi 787-9 route to daily service

Air Canada (Montreal) stated it plans to increase its new Toronto – Delhi nonstop service from four times weekly to daily service beginning on October 30, 2016.

Air Canada’s new nonstop service between Toronto and Delhi , set to be launched on November 1, 2015 with four weekly flights, is the airline’s first route to be dedicated for Boeing 787-9 series aircraft. Air Canada will receive a total of 29 new 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft by 2019, in addition to eight 787-8 aircraft already in operation, as part of the carrier’s fleet renewal and international expansion from its global hub at Toronto Pearson airport.

Photo Above: Air Canada. Mood lighting on the 787.

Top Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. AC currently operates eight Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners (top). The first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (C-FNOE msn 35265) is currently undergoing final testing at Boeing before the handover this month. Boeing 787-8 C-GHPY (msn 35262) arrives at the Toronto (Pearson) hub.

Chart Below: Air Canada.

Videos:

Air Canada aircraft slide show:

WestJet will now introduce the Boeing 767-300 on August 17

WestJet (Calgary) has updated its planned Boeing 767-300 ER introduction. The airline will now introduce daily wide-body service on August 17 between Toronto (Pearson) and Calgary per Airline Route.

Image: WestJet.

Video: WestJet.

WestJet aircraft slide show:

Air Canada operations at Toronto Pearson are operating normally

Air Canada (Montreal) yesterday issued this statement about operations at its Toronto (Pearson) hub:

Air Canada reported its operations returned to normal yesterday (July 4) morning following an illegal labor disruption at Consolidated Aviation Fueling of Toronto (the sole fuel agent at Toronto Pearson) that affected the fueling of all airlines operating at Pearson International Airport on July 3.

Icelandair increases the number of weekly flights to Seattle-Tacoma

Icelandair (Keflavik) has announced further expansion from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with 11 weekly flights starting on May 5, 2016, including the city’s only morning flights to Europe.

In response to the growing demand from the Pacific Northwest, Icelandair is adding four weekly flights from Seattle/Tacoma to complement their current daily service, including the only two international morning flights from SeaTac. With departures at 9:15 am on Wednesdays and Saturdays, passengers will now have more options to Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Scandinavia, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki and Gothenburg. These additional flights also give passengers more connections from Anchorage, Billings, Boise, Eugene, Fairbanks, Spokane, Portland, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver on Alaska Airlines, when traveling through their Seattle/Tacoma hub.

Icelandair launched SEA service in 2009.

Icelandair offers service to Iceland from Boston, Chicago (O’Hare), Denver, Edmonton, New York (JFK), Newark, Seattle/Tacoma, Toronto (Pearson), and Washington (Dulles); and seasonal service from Anchorage, Halifax, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Orlando, Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Ex-Iberia Boeing 757-256 TF-FIR (msn 26242) prepares to land at Toronto (Pearson).

Icelandair aircraft slide show:

Air Canada rouge launches Toronto – Abbotsford flights

Air Canada rouge (Toronto) flight AC1979 touched down at the Abbotsford International Airport yesterday morning (June 27), marking the start of new nonstop seasonal service from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Returning home as the captain for this inaugural flight was Captain James Jeffrey Martin , who grew up in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and completed his aviation education and training in Abbotsford . Celebrations were held at both airports and in the community to inaugurate the daily service.

Service between Toronto and Abbotsford will be operated daily by Air Canada rouge to October 12, 2015 with 136-seat Airbus A319 aircraft offering a choice of premium and economy cabins.

Air Canada rouge aircraft slide show: