Authorization of a class action regarding the use of the term “champagne”

MONTREAL, July 14, 2018 /CNW/ – On April 16, 2018, the Superior Court of Québec authorized a class action brought by the Plaintiff against Sunwing Vacations Inc. and Sunwing Airlines Inc. on behalf of all Quebec consumers alleging the use of the word “champagne” in various ways without serving Champagne, engaging in an alleged deceptive commercial practice in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act. These allegations have not been proven in Court.

The class action includes all consumers in Québec who purchased (or obtained) tickets or travelled with Sunwing Vacations Inc., also doing business as Signature Vacations, or Sunwing Airlines Inc. for a flight or vacation package presented, publicized or described using the word “champagne” between February 10, 2014 and April 16, 2018.

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Jazz welcomes EVAS Air to pilot pathway program

HALIFAX, July 12, 2018 /CNW/ – Jazz Aviation LP (“Jazz”) is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Gander-based Exploits Valley Air Services (“EVAS”) for the carrier to become the nineteenth organization in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program (“Jazz APP”). The partnership was celebrated earlier today at an event attended by Jazz and EVAS employees at the Gander International Airport.

“We are pleased to expand the Jazz APP into Newfoundland and Labrador with the addition of EVAS to our program,” said Cal Purves, Director, Flight Operations, Jazz. “This agreement will provide an excellent opportunity for Gander-based pilots to progress their aviation careers and an incentive for those considering a career as a professional airline pilot.”

Passengers with bags slowed WestJet 737 evacuation: TSB

THE CANADIAN PRESS – TORONTO – The Transportation Safety Board says the evacuation of a WestJet plane after a collision with another aircraft at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport was hampered when some passengers tried to take carry-on luggage with them.

The board says the WestJet flight carrying 169 passengers and six crew members from Cancun, Mexico, was waiting for a gate when it was hit by a Sunwing jet being towed to another location at the airport on Jan. 5.

When a large ball of fire erupted near the area where the aircraft made contact, the WestJet crew immediately began an evacuation and the ground crew pulled the Sunwing aircraft back towards the gate.

The TSB says when the Sunwing plane was pulled away, the fire on the wing of the WestJet aircraft self-extinguished, while the fire on the tail of the Sunwing aircraft continued but decreased in intensity.

It says that three seconds after the fire erupted, and before any commands from the crew, some WestJet passengers had opened an emergency exit and escaped onto the wing and other passengers followed.

The TSB said in a report released Wednesday that it’s recommending the Department of Transport require that passenger safety briefings include clear direction to leave all carry-on baggage behind during an evacuation.

During the evacuation, flight attendants issued instructions, with and without the assistance of a handheld megaphone, telling the passengers to leave all their carry-on baggage behind, the TSB said.

“Despite these instructions, numerous passengers brought carry-on baggage with them, which slowed down the evacuation process,” the report said.

The TSB says a flight attendant suffered a minor hand injury, but no one else was injured in the evacuation of the WestJet plane.

The technician on the Sunwing aircraft had minor injuries after leaving through a cockpit window and going down an emergency rope.

The TSB said the evacuation took approximately two minutes and 23 seconds from the time the captain made the evacuation call.

Porter Airlines Introducing Basic Fare

Basic fare class intended for price-conscious traveller

TORONTO, July 11, 2018 /CNW/ – Porter Airlines is introducing a new entry-level fare class to meet increasing demand from travellers wanting to choose from a range of prices and service options they most value.

The new Basic fare is an entry-level product designed to provide essential services for passengers with definite travel plans. It delivers the lowest available price on select flights booked at least 21 days prior to departure.

Key features of the Basic fare are:

• Lowest price
• Itinerary changes and cancellations are not permitted; no refunds or credits are issued
• Online check-in is permitted; boarding passes must be retrieved at the airport check-in counter
• One personal item, such as a small purse or briefcase, is permitted onboard; all other bags must be checked for a fee
• All service options, such as checked luggage and advance seat selection, are available for additional fees

“This product appeals to the most price-conscious traveller,” said Michael Deluce, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Porter Airlines. “The Basic fare will attract new customers who are looking for the lowest price. Like all Porter fares, it includes our award winning Flying Refined service.”

Basic fares are now available on select routes: Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins and Windsor. The intention is to make them available on additional routes over a period of time.

Porter now has four fares classes, providing travellers with choices to meet individual needs:

• Freedom – All optional services included: refundable, changeable, and cancelable
• Flexible – Offers affordable flexibility with some optional services included
• Standard (formerly Firm) – Discounted fare with all optional services available for a fee
• Basic – Lowest fare for definite travel plans with some optional services available for a fee

To ensure that passengers choose the product that meets their needs, clear indications of key Basic fare class features are noted throughout the booking process on Porter’s website. Complete fare class details are available online.

All passengers, regardless of fare class, benefit from Porter’s complimentary premium services, including beer, wine and snacks onboard, and lounge access in select airports. VIPorter members in the First, Priority and Passport categories also enjoy the benefits of their loyalty status when booking any fare class.

Air Canada to Open Redesigned Maple Leaf Lounge at St. John’s International Airport This Fall

• Located in the newly expanded departures lounge

MONTREAL, July 11, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada today announced it will open a redesigned Maple Leaf Lounge located in St. John’s International Airport new terminal East expansion area (YYT) this fall. The new Maple Leaf Lounge will have 77 per cent more square footage, 46 additional seats, and windows offering a panoramic view of iconic Signal Hill and a beautiful view of the ocean.”We look forward to the opening of our redesigned Maple Leaf Lounge in the newly expanded Departures Lounge at St John’s later this year which will offer our eligible customers an elevated airport experience, with a quiet place to relax or work before their flight,” said Benjamin Smith, Air Canada’s President, Airlines and Chief Operating Officer. “Throughout the lounge, we’re proudly showcasing Canadian furnishings, local art and crafts that will reflect the charm of Newfoundland and Labrador’s landscape and people.”

 “We are delighted that our airline partner Air Canada has made this significant investment at our airport, for the benefit of many of our frequent travellers. The beautifully designed new lounge with its added amenities will be well-received by passengers, and will assist in creating an exceptional experience at our airport,” said Keith Collins, President and CEO, St. John’s International Airport Authority.

Sunwing introduces direct flight service from Quebec City to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Sunwing will be expanding its flight services from Quebec City for this coming winter to include a direct flight to Puerto Vallarta in Pacific Mexico for the first time, so that avid travellers can enjoy the beautiful region of Vallarta Nayarit and its two most popular destinations—Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. Beginning Mondays on December 17th, 2018, running until April 15th, 2019, the introduction of the new route offers Quebecers convenient, direct flight services to 10 of the most popular sunshine destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Florida this coming winter when they book with Sunwing.

Boasting a pleasant tropical climate year-round, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit feature golden-sand beaches and showcase captivating views of the Sierra Madre Mountains and Bay of Banderas. Combining the best of exploration and relaxation with tranquil beach settings and a bustling Hotel Zone, this popular tropical destination offers travellers an array of experiences ranging from world-class golfing, to discovering the landscape on horseback or zipline, to exciting performances such as the popular pirate show that takes place on a real pirate galleon—perfect for families seeking entertainment.

Executive Vice President of Sunwing Travel Group Quebec, Sam Char, welcomed the news. “Saving customers time and money by enabling them to depart from their local airport is one of our key priorities, and we are delighted to be offering Quebecers even more choice this coming winter with the introduction of this new service. Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are consistently popular vacation destinations and we’re sure this new service will be well received.”

“With the announcement of Puerto Vallarta as a new destination, Sunwing is further diversifying its flight offering from Quebec City’s Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) with an exciting option for passengers in the Greater Québec City area. Sunwing’s interest in YQB, year after year, reflects the quality of the services we offer and the ever-growing potential of YQB following the opening of the new international terminal,” said Mathieu Claise, Director, Government and Public Affairs of YQB.

As the #1 to the sun, Sunwing offers a wide range of resort options in Puerto Vallarta. Travellers can look forward to enjoying some of Puerto Vallarta’s most beautiful sunsets at Iberostar Playa Mita, which offers guests an array of activities to enjoy such as snorkelling, diving, kayaking, windsurfing and tennis. Plus, avid golfers can take advantage of various packages to tee off at the 18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman onsite.

Updates to Air Transat’s Option Plus and Seat Selection

Air Transat is introducing as of today revised rates for seat selection for certain seat types. Option Plus prices are also changing for certain routes and seat types.

Option Plus inclusions

With Option Plus, Economy Class passengers can treat themselves to the following perks:

• One additional piece of checked baggage of 23 kg for flights to/from Europe, the South and the United States (or one additional piece of checked baggage of 30 kg for flights to/from Israel)
• Standard seat selection
• Check-in at an exclusive counter
• Priority boarding
• Priority queue at security checkpoints (at Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver airports)
• Priority baggage handling
• A Comfort Kit and a set of natural wood earbuds
• An alcoholic beverage
• A selection of meals from the Bistro menu on flights to/from the South and the United States; a selection of treats on flights to/from Europe and Israel
• Here is the updated price grid for seat selection according to the destinations.

Europe and Israel	Full price (one way)
Standard seat	$30
Two-by-two seat	$45
Seat with more legroom	$90

South and the United States	Full price (one way)
Standard seat	$25
Two-by-two seat	$40
Seat with more legroom	$50

Domestic	Full price (one way)
Standard seat	$10
Two-by-two seat	$10
Seat with more legroom	$25

Option Plus

Here is the updated price grid for Option Plus according to the destinations.

Europe and Israel	Full price (one way)
Standard seat	$79.50
Two-by-two seat	$94.50
Seat with more legroom	$139.50

South and the United States	Full price (one way)
Standard seat	$54.50
Two-by-two seat	$69.50
Seat with more legroom	$79.50

For details, visit the seat selection section or the Option Plus section on airtransat.com

Air Transat invites you to discover Portugal

Montreal, July 4, 2018 — Air Transat is pleased to invite Canadians to discover Portugal’s charms. The country’s architectural gems, idyllic beaches and delicious port wine are easily accessible this summer, thanks to Air Transat’s flight program and its departures from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Quebec City.

More than ever, Air Transat is raising the bar with the frequency of its summer flights to Lisbon and Porto. The airline is offering 13 direct flights weekly from Toronto and Montreal as well as 17 connecting flights that will make it easy for travellers who live in the Vancouver, Calgary and Quebec City areas to visit Portugal.

Canadians can travel to Portugal year-round with Air Transat. Visiting the land of peixe (fish) gives travellers a chance to discover Lisbon, Europe’s sunniest capital, with its trendy bars, gothic architecture and numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. To the north lies the ever‑evolving Porto, with its famous wine. The city’s industrial past and rich history make it a captivating destination for tourists.

For people who are more into beaches, golf or watersports, the Algarve to the south is an exceptional destination. Portugal’s sunniest region is filled with ochre cliffs and turquoise waters, endless stretches of sandy beaches and secluded coves. It has back‑countries made up of historic villages and fortified cities for people to explore. In short, the Algarve is a great place to get away from it all.

WestJet statement regarding the application for certification of its cabin crew members

CALGARY, July 10, 2018 /CNW/ – WestJet today issued the following statement from President and CEO Ed Sims regarding the application for certification of its cabin crew members. WestJet received formal notice from Canada’s Industrial Relations Board today at 11:49 a.m. ET.

“We respect the rights of our employees to choose their representation. Although we prefer to work directly with our employee groups as we have since 1996, we are dedicated to moving forward and will concentrate on the continued success of the organization for guests, employees and shareholders.”

Air Canada Foundation Netted More Than $1,000,000 to Help Canadian Children’s Charities

MONTREAL, July 10, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – The Air Canada Foundation’s seventh annual golf tournament netted over $1,000,000 in support of organizations focused on the health and well-being of children in Canada.  The tournament took place Monday, July 9 at the Saint Raphaël Golf Club in Ile-Bizard, Quebec, and featured close to 350 attendees from around the world. It included a full day of golf followed by a cocktail-style dinner, as well as silent and live auctions of items donated by tournament partners and Air Canada Foundation supporters. “The overwhelming generosity of Air Canada’s partners and friends has once again made the Air Canada Foundation’s golf tournament a huge success with over $1 million raised,” said Priscille LeBlanc, Chair of the Air Canada Foundation. “We also appreciate the tireless work of Air Canada employee volunteers who helped organize and facilitate the event, which was once again a sellout, allowing the majority of the funds raised to directly benefit children in need. On behalf of all the children and their families whose lives are touched by the Foundation, I thank our loyal sponsors, participants and volunteers for their on-going generosity and support.” Two young boys – Justin and Kaleb – who benefited from the support provided by the Air Canada Foundation played an important role during the day by manning the highly coveted lemonade stand. They helped raise a record amount of $11,713.50 for the Foundation as they enticed golfers with their refreshing lemonade on a sunny day. The Air Canada Foundation was proud to welcome AMADEUS as Presenting Partner of this year’s event, which was supported by more than 100 Canadian, American and international corporations and organizations. This year’s Patrons of Honour are:

AAR	Citi	KPMG
Air Canada	Jazz Aviation LP	Macquarie Bank
Air Georgian	Exxon Mobil	Rockwell Collins
SAP Ariba	GA Telesis	Sky Regional Airlines
Bell Canada	GE Aviation	Visa Canada
Bombardier	HSBC
CIBC Capital Markets	Airbase Canada

As a registered not-for-profit organization, the Air Canada Foundation’s mission is to help connect sick children to the medical care they need, grant children’s wishes and alleviate child poverty. In 2017, the Air Canada Foundation granted over $5.4 million (financial and in-kind) to support Canadian registered charities. Funds were donated to programs or projects submitted by eligible registered charitable organizations in line with the Air Canada Foundation’s mission. Financial donations The Air Canada Foundation provided financial support for a total amount of $1,585,300 to 50 registered charities across Canada. Some of the initiatives we helped support include:

• Children with special needs in summer camps were treated to a more enjoyable experience thanks to Reach(formerly known as Reach for the Rainbow), which purchased adaptive equipment to ensure accessibility and security for them
• The Sainte-Justine Hospital, through Bye-Bye Allergies, opened its oral immunotherapy clinic and address severe food allergies
• The country’s largest pediatric hospitals received more Fun Centres thanks to the support of the Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada
• Three Aboriginal schools received the support of the Breakfast Club of Canada, which covered food and kitchen equipment purchases

In-Kind Support

• Enabled eight Dreams Take Flight trips from across Canada (Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver) for a magical day at Disney.
• 1,348 round trip airline tickets were donated to more than 350 charitable organizations in support their fundraising initiatives.
• Partnership with the RCMP Child Recovery Program to ensure the safe return of missing children.
• The Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program donated over 6.65 million Aeroplan Miles to 15 pediatric hospitals across Canada allowing children to access medical care not available in their own communities.
• The Air Canada Foundation Volunteer Involvement Program, which was designed to recognize the active involvement of employees in their own communities, awarded a pair of airline tickets to 80 charitable organizations for their fundraising events. The charitable organizations supported by the Volunteer Involvement Program include:
  • BC – Family Services of the North Shore
  • BC / QC – Canadian Cancer Society
  • QC – Fondation de l’Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal
  • QC – Families for Children
  • ON – Kids Connection Haiti
  • ON ­– Spinal Cord Injury Ontario
  • ON – Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Ontario
  • ON – Canadian Diabetes Association
  • MB ­– Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association
  • NL – Newfoundland and Labrador Down Syndrome Society
  • NL – Young Adult Cancer Canada
  • AB – Salvation Army Kate Booth House
  • NB – St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation of Saint John

About the Air Canada Foundation The Air Canada Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focused on the health and well-being of children and youth, was launched in 2012. It offers both financial and in-kind support, through travel assistance, to Canadian registered charities.  Core programs include the Hospital Transportation Program which donates Aeroplan Miles to pediatric hospitals across Canada enabling children to access medical care unavailable locally and the Volunteer Involvement Program which recognizes the involvement of employees in their local community by providing airline tickets to the registered charities in support of their fundraising initiatives.  The Foundation, in collaboration with the airline, also engages directly in fundraising activities such as the Every Bit Counts program, which encourages customers to donate loose change of all denominations onboard flights or through airport collection containers. The Foundation also offers continued support to major health-related causes that benefit Canadians and is an active participant in international humanitarian relief activity as the need arises.  For more information about the Air Canada Foundation, please visit www.aircanada.com/foundation or the 2016 Corporate Sustainability Report, Citizens of the World, online at www.aircanada.com/csr.