WESTJET DOWN TO THE WIRE: Flights could start being grounded Friday
WestJet and the union representing some 4,400 flight attendants have agreed to an “operational wind-down” plan should a strike go ahead as soon as this Sunday. With the clock ticking down, the two sides this week inked an agreement that lays out how to ground planes and get cabin crew back home in the event of a work stoppage.
FEDS BOOST ONLINE PASSPORT RENEWALS
Immigration Minister Lena Diab says that online passport renewal is now open to all eligible Canadian adults. To qualify, applicants must have an address in Canada, be older than 16 when they got their last passport, and must have received it within the last 15 years, among other criteria.
TRANSAT TO TAP UP FEDERAL AID TO COVER FUEL COSTS
Transat A.T. Inc. says it has secured up to $150 million in federal aid to help offset the soaring price of jet fuel caused by the Middle East war. The Montreal-based travel company, which runs Air Transat, says the size of the loan will be based on the difference in the cost of fuel between the next few months and the same period last year, ending on Oct. 31.
STORYTELLING STARTS THE JOURNEY: Make clients care about destination first, urges airline exec
Trevor Sadler, CEO of interCaribbean Airways, believes what inspires travellers to choose one Caribbean destination over another begins with storytelling.
SOUTHERN EUROPE BURNS: French fire three time the size of Paris
An uncontained wildfire four times the size of Paris threatened to surge again in southwest France on Wednesday – as three firefighters died in Greece and crews across southern Europe confronted a punishing mix of heat, drought and strong winds.
IN-FOCUS BAVARO BEACH: Endless bliss at Grand Palladium Punta Cana resorts
Bavaro Beach is one of the Dominican Republic’s most celebrated stretches of coastline and Grand Palladium’s three Punta Cana properties put guests right at the heart of it. Whether travellers are paddle boarding through crystal-clear waters at the family-friendly Grand Palladium Select Bávaro or setting sail on a catamaran at Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort and Spa, every day is shaped by the sea.
Check out our special inFocus Editions...
Just in case you missed yesterday’s stories…
LUXURY TRAVEL TAKES A TURN: High end travellers are making changes
Cool is the new hot as luxury travellers abandon the August crush on the Amalfi Coast, trade beach chairs for Arctic lodges and discover that Italy’s best-kept secret is its neighbours, according to new 2026 booking data from Global Travel Collection (GTC).
TRAVEL DECISIONS MORE COMPLEX THAN EVER: Safety remains top priority
Rising jet fuel prices, airline route reductions and higher airfares are fuelling concern among international travellers, but destination safety remains the most important factor influencing travel decisions, according to the results of a new Global Rescue SNAP Survey.
MARVELLOUS MADEIRA: Portugal’s pearl of the Atlantic
By CINDY-LOU DALE/ Few destinations combine spectacular scenery, centuries of history, vibrant traditions and festivals, and year-round sunshine quite like Madeira and Porto Santo. Rising dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean some 1,000 km. southwest of Lisbon and 600 km. off the coast of Morocco, the Portuguese archipelago offers visitors a fascinating blend of natural beauty and cultural authenticity that has attracted travellers for centuries.
CANADIAN MILESTONE: IHG hits 200 hotels, more to come
With new additions to its portfolio, IHG Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its continued growth in Canada across a portfolio that now includes more than 200 hotels.
CASABLANCA BEYOND THE MOVIE: Morocco’s overlooked ‘White City’ experiences a renaissance
Don’t be fooled by the classic 1942 film bearing its name: there’s nothing antiquated or outdated about Casablanca, “The White City” of Morocco, where history and modernity blend seamlessly.
RETAIL ROUND-UP: Agent news, fams & incentives
This week: Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its ‘Funnel Faves Advisor Rewards Program; Internova Travel Group is expanding its investment in sustainable travel education through Green Circle, its companywide sustainability initiative; Collette has released the latest installment of Collette University 201, and First in Service (F1S) welcomes a new president in North America.