WILL PUCK FINALLY DROP FOR GORDIE HOWE BRIDGE? Trump remains obstacle ahead of Friday opening
Prime Minister Mark Carney insisted says there is “no big drama” surrounding the status of the Gordie Howe International Bridge – but it may take longer to open than anticipated. The Prime Minister had said Tuesday that the second bridge between Windsor and Detroit would “be open at the end of the week.”
AIRLINE PROFITS ‘COULDN’T BUY A HOT DOG’ AT FIFA GAMES
IATA’s latest financial outlook for the global airline industry shows a halving of profitability as a result of war-related Middle East disruptions and high fuel prices – so much so that carrier per passenger profits wouldn’t even cover the cost of a hot dog at a FIFA World Cup game, says the association’s boss.
VANCOUVER TOP WORLD CUP CITY, SAYS SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
As the FIFA World Cup kicks off today (June 11) Sports Illustrated magazine says Vancouver is the best of 16 cities hosting World Cup matches, citing transportation, walkability and mild weather for topping its ranking list released this month. In fact, both Canadian host cities fared well on the list, with Toronto ranking No. 3, just after Seattle.
SUNWING WINTER LAUNCHED WITH EARLY SALE, AGENT BONUS
No Cuba, no problem. Sunwing Vacations has unveiled its Winter 2026-27 schedule, offering Canadians plenty of sun choices next winter, including favourites like Cancun, Punta Cana and Montego Bay, as well as new winter vacations from Toronto to Acapulco, Winnipeg to Puerto Plata and Montreal to Cozumel.
THE BUCK STOPS IN YYC: WestJet, Calgary Tourism launch stopover program
Every year, more than seven million international travellers connect through Calgary without ever leaving the airport. Tourism Calgary and WestJet hope to change that. On Wednesday, the two organizations launched the Calgary Stopover Program, giving travellers on eligible WestJet routes the opportunity to add a Calgary visit.
AC FLIGHT ATTENDANT SHARES MOHAWK CULTURE WITH RIHANNA
An Air Canada flight attendant got a thrill last week when she gifted pop superstar Rihanna a beaded lanyard from her Mohawk community south of Montreal.
Check out our special inFocus Editions...
Just in case you missed yesterday’s stories…
FEDS OFFER AIRLINES FUEL LOAN LIFELINE: Not all carriers are happy about it
The federal government has offered a loan lifeline to airlines struggling to cope with the soaring price of jet fuel, garnering a mixed response from the country’s carriers. The new program will let airlines borrow up to $150 million each, as fallout from the Iran war forces them to slash flight schedules and cut profit forecasts.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR HODGE, GOWAY NAMES MOORE CEO
Goway has named Dean Moore as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, marking a new chapter for founder Bruce Hodge, who will remain as President and Chairman and continue to oversee Goway’s subsidiary corporate travel division, Globespan Travel Management.
WESTJET, ICELANDAIR SIGN CODESHARE
WestJet and Icelandair have signed a reciprocal codeshare agreement offering travellers on both sides of the Atlantic enhanced access to a broader network of destinations with the ease of a single booking and ticket, as well as through checked baggage.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: ACTA agents discovered Los Cabos, while three other ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ winners road-tripped in Nevada; First in Service (F1S) announced summit dates; Crystal takes a new Approach; and Trafalgar introduces a river cruise booking incentive.
A LOVELY COCONUT: St. Lucia resorts touts new look, Canadian incentives
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Every year, Saint Lucia’s Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa does “a ton” of enhancements to ensure the popular all-inclusive remains fresh for guests, and this year is no exception. During the resort’s annual fall closing, CBBR will totally renovate its family side – the Splash wing – following 2025’s makeover of the adult’s-only Harmony side.
ALBERTA HAILS RAIL PLAN, BUT DON’T PACK JUST YET
Alberta’s government is eyeing train connections between airports and the downtown cores of its two biggest cities as the first key projects in its new passenger rail plan. But construction isn’t expected to start any time soon and the first users will likely have to wait about 30 years.