TRAVELHotNews.com Magazine

CIAO! TRANSAT ITALY LAUNCHES

Transat introduces Italy program for summer 2009; flights now available to Rome, Venice, Milan

Rome

Transat Holidays has announced their Italy program for summer 2009. Flights to Italy are now available to book April to October 2009 to Rome, Venice and Milan. Special introductory fares are available to Rome from $439 plus $359 taxes per person departing June 12 and returning June 26, 2009. Departures to Venice are available from $489 plus $359 taxes per person departing June 05 and returning June 13, 2009. Milan is also available from $489 plus $359 taxes per person departing June 10, returning on June 18, 2009. Air Transat offers direct flights from Toronto to Rome on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays beginning April 17 to October 24, 2009. Keep reading for Milan and Venice flight schedules. [Full text and pictures]

DOUBLE DIP WITH SUNWING

Sunwing's new "Double Dip" agent promotion offers additional 2% bonus commission and double IMAGINE Agent Reward Points

Sunwing has announced its latest agent incentive offering 2 per cent bonus commission and double IMAGINE Agent Reward Points. The additional 2 per cent commission is applicable for all bookings made between Oct 4 and 15 (for travel completed between November 1 and April 30, 2009 on all product with prices ending in a 7. Las Vegas and Florida holiday packages also qualify for the bonus commission. Additionally, when agents book any vacation package with a price ending in 7 between October 4 and December 15 (for travel completed between now and December 15, 2009) they will earn double IMAGINE Agent Reward Points. [Full text and pictures]

PRINCESS STARTS NEW SEASON IN HAWAII

Princess Cruises launches new ways to experience the Hawaiian Islands this season

The Golden Princess begins a new season of sailings to the Hawaiian Islands. "Our goal is to captivate our passengers with onboard experiences that capture the heart and soul of Hawai'i," said Jan Swartz, Princess' senior vice president. "We want to make sure that our guests go home with a deeper understanding of the islands and the people who live there." This year, Princess' Hawaiian programs are trying to engage passengers with a variety of cultural presentations and demonstrations, interpretive lectures, folkloric performances, hands-on activities, Hawaiian cuisine, and a number of new adventures ashore excursion options throughout the islands. Among these Hawaiian experiences are: [Full text and pictures]

ETIHAD WINNER

Judy Byrne, centre, from CWT Concierge won the gift basket

Judy Byrne from CWT Concierge wins Etihad gift basket at Toronto Addison Show on Mon Sep. 29
At last Monday's Addison Show in Toronto, Etihad Airways awarded one lucky travel agent a gift basket filled with Etihad goodies. Judy Byrne for CWT Concierge was the lucky winner. Pictured with her is Laura Oakes Account Manager with Etihad on the left and Janet Rivers Etihad Sales Manager Canada on the right.

PORTER RETURNS THIS WINTER

Porter Airlines returns to Mt. Tremblant this winter season

Porter Airlines is returning to the slopes of Mont Tremblant, Que., with a more frequent winter schedule from Toronto City Centre Airport. Flights from downtown Toronto begin Dec. 19, as often as five times per week. Flights are available Thursday, Friday, Saturday and twice Sunday, depending on time of year. "The opportunity to offer more Tremblant flights this winter is based on the strong demand we experienced last year," said Robert Deluce, President and CEO of Porter Airlines. "Our passengers wanted more weekday flights and that's what we're providing." Porter is partnering with Ultimate Ski Vacations this season, to provide air-inclusive packages including flights, transfers, lifts and accommodation. Ultimate ski and snowboard packages can be customized for individual needs by Ultimate Ski Vacations. [Full text and pictures]

WESTJET FLIES MORE, AC & JAZZ TRIM DOWN

WestJet flies more passengers in September, Air Canada and Jazz trim capacity
Canadian Press

Air Canada had fewer empty seats in September compared with a year ago as Canada's biggest airline cut capacity faster than its passenger traffic declined. The Montreal-based airline said Friday it had a September load factor of 80.9 per cent compared with 79.1 per cent a year ago, as it cut capacity by 6.9 per cent. Meanwhile Jazz, a feeder airline that sells its capacity to Air Canada, reported a load factor of 69.2 per cent, down from 73.5 per cent a year ago. Jazz's capacity fell by 1.6 per cent, while traffic slipped 7.3 per cent. WestJet's revenue passenger miles were up 11 per cent to 1.07 billion as the number of travellers carried grew by almost 47,000 compared with September 2007.

EMIRATES T3 GROWING

Emirates Terminal 3 scheduled to open in 3 phases, first phase to open on October 14

Emirates Terminal 3 is scheduled to open on October 14, 2008. The terminal is being opened in phases and the first phase commencing on the 14th will see flights arriving and departing to destinations in the GCC namely Doha, Muscat, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jeddah, Damman and Riyadh and in the Americas namely New York, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo and Toronto. The second phase will open flights to the Middle East and Africa. Europe, the Indian Subcontinent, the Far East and Australia will be serviced in later phases. [Full text and pictures]