Bombardier Continues African Market Penetration with Pre-Owned Q400

August 13, 2018 Montréal – Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, Press Release

PassionAir becomes first Bombardier operator in Ghana with three Q400 aircraft

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that the company successfully placed three pre-owned Q400 turboprops with PassionAir from the Republic of Ghana. The airline acquired the aircraft through a dry-lease with a third party.

“Bombardier has sold about 3,500 new regional aircraft to date, and we continue to be very active on the used aircraft market.” said David Speirs, Vice President, Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Our recent momentum on the pre-owned aircraft market worldwide is a clear indication that our products are addressing a growing need for regional air transportation, especially in emerging markets.”

“Our market penetration in Africa continues to intensify, and we are pleased to welcome Passion Air as the first commercial airline operating a Bombardier regional aircraft in the Republic of Ghana,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Africa is the youngest and fastest growing region in the world, and regional aircraft like the Q400 will play a key role in helping advancing Africa’s economic growth.”

The airline will operate the three Q400 aircraft in a 78-seat configuration on domestic routes.

“This is a first step, and we look forward to expanding our fleet with more Bombardier aircraft,” said Edward Annan, Chief Executive Officer, PassionAir. “The Q400 offers the performance and flexibility that we need to further develop our network. With a range that unlocks great opportunities for us, we are confident that we will capitalize on a larger market, which extends to 12 countries and over 180 million potential passengers out of Accra.”

About PassionAir

PassionAir is a Ghanaian owned airline, and aims to become the most competitive Aviation Service Provider in Ghana and West Africa. Our focus is on safety and excellent customer service delivery, depicting the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality. Our product lines range from scheduled to chartered flights offered at internationally accepted standards and competitive prices.

PassionAir as start off, will operate flights domestically, with plans of expanding our services to the West African sub-region in the medium term.

Sky Regional Airlines Welcomes Vanguard Air Care to its Sky Path Pilot Gateway Program

Sky Regional Airlines Welcomes Vanguard Air Care to its Sky Path Pilot Gateway Program
Air Canada Express Carrier Developing Top Aviation Talent in Canada

TORONTO (August 10, 2018) — Sky Regional Airlines is pleased to announce that Winnipeg-based Vanguard Air Care, a part of the Fast Air group of companies will be first to join its new Sky Path pilot gateway program. Qualified Vanguard pilots who are accepted will be eligible to join Sky Regional in First Officer positions on its fleet of modern Embraer 175 jet aircraft after a requisite amount of time at Vanguard.

Sky Regional operates flights to destinations across Canada and the United States under the Air Canada Express banner.

“Sky Regional is committed to sourcing and developing the best aviation talent in Canada, and offering significant career advancement with our airline,” said Brent Card, Vice President Flight Operations at Sky Regional. “We are very pleased to work hand in hand with Vanguard to offer motivated and promising pilots this opportunity.”

“We are very pleased to help our pilots define their future careers and provide significant advancement opportunities in partnership with Sky Regional,” said Kevin Lawes, Vanguard Chief Pilot. “We are devoted to finding the best pilots, and the Sky Path program will help aid us in that mission.”

Prospective candidates interested in learning more about Sky Regional’s Sky Path pilot gateway program can email skypath@skyregional.com.

Photo Credit: Sky Regional Airlines Sky Regional Airlines welcomes Vanguard Air Care, a part of the Fast Air group of companies as the first to join Sky Regional Airlines’ new Sky Path pilot gateway program during an event at the Vanguard headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sky Regional operates flights to destinations across the United States and Canada under the Air Canada banner.

L-R: Satesh Ramdeo – Chief Pilot, Sky Regional Airlines; Brent Card, Vice President Flight Operations, Sky Regional Airlines; Kevin Lawes, Chief Pilot, Vanguard Air Care; Ross Bale, Chief Flight Medic, Vanguard Air Care; Matt Johnson, Operations Manager, Fast Air; Anthony Dyck, General Manager, Fast Air

Chorus Aviation announces solid second quarter earnings

Delivering regional aviation to the world  

• Net income of $16.2 million, or $0.12 per basic share, inclusive of an unrealized foreign exchange loss of $12.6 million.
• Adjusted net income¹ of $29.4 million, or $0.21 per basic share.
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $84.6 million increased $18.8 million or 28.6% primarily due to increased revenue from aircraft leasing.
• Completion of the sixth Extended Service Program (‘ESP’) on a Dash 8-300 aircraft.
• Awarded two new contract flying missions for an international customer utilizing four CRJ-200s.
• Acquired two Dash 8-300 to build part sales inventory.

HALIFAX, Aug. 9, 2018 /CNW/ – Chorus Aviation Inc. (‘Chorus’) (TSX: CHR) today announced solid second quarter financial results for the period ended June 30, 2018.

“Our business delivered solid performance in the second quarter of this year,” said Joe Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chorus.  Our financial performance in the quarter generated over $84.0 million in adjusted EBITDA, an $18.8 million or 28.6 % increase over second quarter 2017 due primarily to growth in aircraft leasing.  Adjusted earnings per basic share was $0.21.

“We continue to build our regional aircraft leasing business and have executed new term sheets with various customers for the acquisition of several regional aircraft that are either currently on lease or will be placed on lease pursuant to sale and lease back transactions. These term sheets remain subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements; further details will follow as transactions are finalized,” continued Mr. Randell. “The pipeline of opportunities is strong, and I’m confident in the growth potential of our leasing business.”

“In the quarter, we completed our sixth extended service program on a Dash 8-300 which is now generating leasing revenue under the CPA, and the seventh aircraft is currently in production.  We won new flying contracts utilizing CRJ 200 aircraft in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Customer demand for our parts division, Avparts, is encouraging.  We recently acquired two Dash 8 – 300s to build our available parts inventory and have parted out 10 aircraft to date. We generate healthy margins on this business and see potential for growth.

“The Chorus team remains committed to building additional shareholder value and I thank them for embracing our vision to deliver regional aviation to the world,” concluded Mr. Randell.

CAE poised to revolutionize pilot, aircrew and healthcare professional training by investing C$1 billion over five years in innovation

Montréal, Québec, August 8, 2018 –  CAE today announced that it will be investing C$1 billion over the next five years in innovation to stay at the forefront of the training industry. One of the main objectives of the investment is to fund Project Digital Intelligence, a digital transformation project to develop the next generation training solutions for aviation, defence & security and healthcare. In partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of Québec, the project will allow CAE to continue to play a key role in making air travel safer, defence forces mission ready, and helping medical personnel save lives. Other benefits include reducing aviation’s environmental footprint and addressing the worldwide demand for aircrews. The Government of Canada and the Government of Québec will provide a combined investment of close to C$200 million over the next five years (C$150 million for Canada and C$47.5 million for Québec).

Executives and employees of CAE were joined by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier of Québec Philippe Couillard for the announcement which signals one of the most significant investments in innovation in the aviation training industry globally.

“As a powerhouse of innovation, CAE has been at the forefront of the training industry, including digital technology, for years. This strategic investment will take our company to the next level,” said Marc Parent, President and Chief Executive Officer of CAE. “By seizing new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, or augmented reality, as well as many others, and applying them to the science of learning, we will revolutionize the training experience of pilots, aircrews and healthcare professionals, as well as improve safety. We are committed to investing C$1 billion over the next five years to help position CAE, Québec and Canada as leaders in digital technology.”

Project Digital Intelligence will transform CAE’s products and services to leverage digital technologies, ranging from big data to artificial intelligence, cloud-computing, cybersecurity and augmented/virtual reality. CAE will develop its next-generation training technologies for aviation, defence & security, and healthcare, while making use of its extensive training network and data ecosystem. The project includes three major activity areas: advanced digital technology development, digital transformation of the training and user experience, as well as CAE innovation and collaboration facilities.

CAE will carry out Project Digital Intelligence in Canada, utilizing its R&D laboratories, as well as its test and integration facilities. As part of the project, CAE will develop an innovation campus in its Montréal site by transforming its workspaces, laboratories and processes to allow for greater innovation and collaboration. Throughout Project Digital Intelligence, CAE will collaborate and codevelop technology solutions with small and medium companies from across Canada and will qualify more than 150 new innovative suppliers across the country. CAE will also work with over 50 post-secondary institutions and research centres. The project is expected to create and maintain thousands of highly skilled jobs at CAE in Canada and in CAE’s Canadian-based supply chain. CAE employs approximately 4,000 people in 18 locations across Canada and more than 5,000 in the rest of the world.

The government investments are subject to the finalization of definitive agreements.

Quotes

“Today’s announcement is about creating high-skilled jobs in Canada today, while making sure Canada’s next generation of pilots, engineers, doctors, and nurses have access to some of the most advanced simulation tools and training programs in the world. With this funding, CAE will continue to raise the bar for training standards, from the cockpit to the operating room, and help drive the success of Canada’s aerospace industry.”

—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“CAE has today chosen to invest in the talent of Quebeckers to help it ensure its continuation as a leader in its sector. We have turned Québec into the best place to invest and prosper by creating a climate of confidence for businesspeople. We have made the know-how of Quebeckers into our greatest asset. Over the past four years we have provided Québec with a genuine boost. Through careful management of our public finances and the economy, we have given ourselves the means to make our aerospace industry more competitive, to speed up our shift to digital, to bolster Montréal’s expertise in artificial intelligence so as to make Québec a go-to destination for innovation.”

—Philippe Couillard, Premier of Québec

Magellan Aerospace Corporation Announces Financial Results

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2018 /CNW/ – Magellan Aerospace Corporation (“Magellan” or the “Corporation”) released its financial results for the second quarter of 2018 in accordance with the newly adopted IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. The results are summarized as follows:

		Three month period ended June 30			Six month period ended June 30
Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts		2018	2017 (restated)1	Change	2018	2017 (restated)1	Change
Revenues		241,221	252,037	(4.3)%	485,846	500,256	(2.9)%
Gross Profit		41,273	45,557	(9.4)%	81,701	89,052	(8.3)%
Net Income		23,464	19,857	18.2%	40,928	59,497	(31.2)%
Net Income per Share		0.40	0.34	17.6%	0.70	1.02	(31.4)%
EBITDA		41,786	39,781	5.0%	75,924	102,367	(25.8)%
EBITDA per Share		0.72	0.68	5.9%	1.30	1.76	(26.1)%

¹2017 reported figures have been restated applying IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. See “Changes in Accounting Policies”.

WestJet reports July load factor of 85.2 per cent

CALGARY, Aug. 8, 2018 /CNW/ – Today WestJet announced July 2018 traffic results with a load factor of 85.2 per cent, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 8.2 per cent year over year, while capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 8.7 per cent over the same period. WestJet welcomed an additional 144,000 guests in July, a year-over-year increase of 6.5 per cent.

“In July, we continued to expand our reach while attracting 2.4 million guests to WestJet’s award-winning brand of caring and friendly service.” Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. ” I want to thank all of our guests for their continued loyalty as yesterday, August 7th, we flew an estimated company record 80,219 guests across our network.”

July 2018 traffic results

	July 2018	July 2017	Change
Load factor	85.2%	85.6%	-0.4 pts
ASMs (billions)	3.037	2.794	8.7%
RPMs (billions)	2.588	2.392	8.2%
	Year to Date 2018	Year to Date 2017	Change
Load factor	84.5%	83.3%	1.2 pts
ASMs (billions)	18.987	18.057	5.2%
RPMs (billions)	16.044	15.045	6.6%

 

WestJet Group carries record-breaking guest load

CALGARY, Aug. 7, 2018 /CNW/ – The WestJet Group of Companies today set a company record for guests flown in a single day, flying an estimated 80,219 guests across its expanding network. This surpasses the previous record of 79,961 set on December 22, 2017.

 

Credit to Jaci Stevens © 2018 Copyright

“The WestJet Group continues to grow our guest numbers as our strategic plan is executed,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “We continue to expand our connectivity while providing more choice for Canadian travellers. Thank you to our 13,000 WestJetters for their part in our success and thank you to our guests for choosing WestJet, WestJet Encore, WestJet Link and Swoop for their summer travel plans.”

Aeroplan and Flair Airlines Announce Preferred Partnership

Aeroplan Members will be able to earn and redeem with Flair Airlines beginning July 2020

TORONTO, Aug. 7, 2018 /CNW/ – Aimia Inc. (TSX: AIM) and Flair Airlines today announced a preferred partnership that will see Aeroplan become Flair’s loyalty program. Starting July 2020, Aeroplan Members will be able to both earn Aeroplan Miles when booking flights on Flair routes and redeem for flights at fixed-rate fares.

“The addition of Flair Airlines as a preferred partner airline further strengthens our air offering in Canada for Aeroplan Members come July 2020,” said Jeremy Rabe, Chief Executive Officer, Aimia. “In addition to providing members with the ability to fly any airline, anywhere, this relationship with Flair will give our members exceptional value for popular Western Canada routes.”

When flying with Flair Airlines, a Canadian low-fare airline, Aeroplan Members will earn Aeroplan Miles for their flight and ancillary product purchases and have the ability to redeem for Flair flights at fixed-rate fares. The relationship with Flair Airlines will give Aeroplan Members new redemption options, particularly those travelling out of Flair’s Edmonton hub, extending from coast to coast and upcoming southern destinations.

“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.”

Aeroplan continues to build out its member offering to provide Canadians with the best travel loyalty program experience come July 2020. Preferred airline agreements, coupled with bulk and block purchasing and stand-alone charters, unlock meaningful discounts, ensuring the delivery of great value for members on flight redemptions.

WestJet announces Calgary service to Terrace, B.C.

WestJet Encore brings more Bombardier Q400s to the Skeena Valley

CALGARY, Aug. 7, 2018 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced new twice-weekly, non-stop service between Calgary and Terrace, B.C., effective September 4, 2018. This new route brings the number of nonstop destinations WestJet serves from Calgary to 63, more than any other airline.
“WestJet is pleased to offer additional city-pair connections to and from Terrace with this new, twice-weekly service to the Skeena Valley,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. “Given the critical importance of transportation in creating and supporting economic development, this additional service will benefit the economy and the community as a whole.”

Operated by WestJet Encore using Bombardier Q400 aircraft, the additional service will benefit the entire northwest region of the province which continues to be economically strong due to investment in forestry, mining, smelting, hydroelectricity, liquefied natural gas and infrastructure projects in the Kitimat-Terrace industrial corridor.

“With major development projects underway in Western Canada, the addition of WestJet Encore’s Calgary to Terrace route is an important connection as it further supports economic development that will benefit both British Columbians and Albertans,” said Bob Sartor President and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. “We’re excited to see our partner enhance access to the Northern British Columbia area with this new non-stop service.”

“We are very happy to have WestJet step in and support the economic growth of our region,” said Gary MacCarthy, President Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society.

“It’s great to see WestJet once again opening up this valuable transportation route to Calgary and we are excited to see this development come so soon after the recent major renovations at our airport,” said Carol Leclerc, Terrace Mayor.

“This new flight route is a great addition for our region’s connectivity,” said Phil Germuth, Kitimat Mayor. “As activity in Kitimat and the region continues to grow, we anticipate greater demands on flights in and out of the Northwest Regional Airport. WestJet has identified and seized an opportunity to better serve our communities, as well as developments proposed for the area, by adding this new route.”

WestJet Encore also operates twice-daily service to Vancouver. Both routes provide the opportunity to conveniently connect to and from Honolulu, Maui, Kauai and Kona, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo and Mazatlan in addition to connecting to the remainder of WestJet’s extensive domestic, transborder and international network.

Details of WestJet Encore’s new twice-weekly, non-stop service between Calgary and Terrace, are:

Route	Frequency	Departing	Arriving	Effective
Calgary – Terrace	Twice weekly	9:30 p.m.	10:50 p.m.	Sep 4, 2018
Terrace – Calgary	Twice weekly	6:30 a.m.	9:35 a.m.	Sep 5, 2018

 

Aeroplan Announces Air Transat as a Preferred Partner

Partnership will bring Aeroplan Members closer to their favourite holiday and sun destinations beginning July 2020

“Adding Air Transat to Aeroplan come July 2020 further differentiates and significantly enhances our Aeroplan experience by bringing our members closer to their favourite sun and holiday destinations,” said Jeremy Rabe, Chief Executive Officer, Aimia. “This is an exciting step toward our goal of providing Aeroplan Members with great value when both earning and redeeming miles on travel bookings to popular holiday and transatlantic destinations.”

“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.

Aeroplan continues to expand and enhance its member offering to provide Canadians with the best travel loyalty program experience come July 2020 including the flexibility to fly any airline, anywhere at any time. Preferred agreements, like the one announced today, coupled with bulk and block purchasing and stand-alone charters, unlock meaningful discounts supporting the delivery of great value to members on flight redemptions.