Trends - December 27, 2007

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Season's Greetings from Peter Stratton, General Manager, ATCO Travel Ltd.

It has been another successful year for ATCO Travel. The on-going strength of the Alberta economy has enabled continued growth in business travel for the vast majority of our customers, particularly in the oil and gas sector. While economic conditions differed in Eastern Canada we are pleased that our business continues to prosper due to a developing client base and our ongoing commitment to client satisfaction.

Our frontline employees have again made the difference in our business. We continue to retain and attract the very best customer oriented people in the industry and enable them to deliver their best to you every day. We also continue to build our business on the sound principles of dedicated, attentive, personal service as we know from multiple surveys that our high touch approach to service is highly valued by both travellers and travel arrangers.

While we truly value your business we recognize that this can never be taken for granted in the competitive market of corporate travel. Once again our objectives for 2008 will be to work hard to retain your trust, deliver against your service expectations and enable the effective management of your travel budget. To all of our clients across Canada we thank you for confidence in ATCO Travel and your ongoing support.

I wish you and your families’ best wishes for the Holiday Season, and good health and prosperity in the New Year!

Peter Stratton
General Manager
ATCO Travel Ltd.

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WestJet suspends accompanied minor program

WestJet confirmed that it has suspended the sale of unaccompanied minor fares pending the review of a situation which occurred last week in Montreal.

WestJet will honour all existing bookings for unaccompanied minors or if the guest wishes they may cancel and will receive a full refund.

For those unaccompanied minors who are pre-booked to fly with WestJet, a number of extra precautionary measures have been put in place.

If you have any questions, please email tasales@westjet.com.
westJet.com

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Air Canada partners with Corsairfly, Nouvelles Frontieres

Air Canada and Corsairfly have launched a commercial partnership that will strategically strengthen their respective positions in the travel market between France and Canada. The partnership provides for reciprocal codesharing on each carrier’s France-Canada flights, streamlined access to Air Canada’s network for Corsairfly customers, and enhanced presence in the French market for Air Canada as a preferred carrier through the Nouvelles Frontières Group that owns France’s largest travel agency network. It is estimated that approximately one million passengers travel each year between the two countries.
aircanada.com

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ATCO Travel staff EPIC campaign raises a total of $11,629.50 for local charities

ATCO Travel offices across Canada banded together to do some major fundraising in October and December 2007, under the ATCO-endorsed EPIC campaign (Employees Participating in Communities).

Through pledges and various raffles and incentives, ATCO Travel employees managed to raise $10,457.00 for charities including: Autism Society of Canada; Crohn's and Colitis Foundation; Make a Wish Foundation; Multiple Sclerosis Society; Heart and Stroke Foundation and Parkinson Society Canada.

ATCO Travel employees worked together again in December to help those less fortunate with campaigns in Calgary and Ottawa.

Calgary McKnight raised $1,072.50 for the YWCA, plus filled two large boxes full of gift items. Ottawa NAV office raised $100.00 for a Shepards of Good Hope family's holiday dinner, plus a box of non-perishable food and gift items. Ottawa also gathered gift items for the Interval House, an abused womens shelter, as well.

We are extremely proud of our staff and would like to thank you for their generous contributions.

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Articles of interest:

WIN A TRIP FOR 2! Courtesy of ATCO Vacations & WestJet
(1) Your name will be automatically entered when you purchase any airline ticket, vacation package or cruise from any Alberta ATCO Vacations office.

(2) No purchase necessary. Ballots may be filled in at ATCO Vacations offices in Calgary, Edmonton or Fort McMurray, AB.
more>


EFFECTIVE JAN 7, 2008, AIR CANADA INTRODUCES SAME-PLANE SERVICE BETWEEN OTTAWA - SAINT JOHN, NB, via MONTREAL
This flight will be operated with a 50-seat Dash 8-300 aircraft.

In addition, starting Jan 7, 2008, Air Canada will add capacity between Saint John - Montreal on one frequency by using a 50-seat, Dash 8-300 aircraft, instead of a 37-seat Dash 8-100.
aircanada.com


AC LAUNCHES BAGGAGE REGISTRY FOR SPORT EQUIPMENT
Equipment not registered prior to check-in subject to fees from Jan. 7, 2008.

Air Canada has announced changes to its baggage policy concerning sporting equipment. For travel on or after January 7, 2008 passengers will be asked to register their sports equipment at the time of booking, either on aircanada.com or through the Air Canada call centre.

By registering prior to check-in, passengers can benefit from a waiver on the excess piece fee for hockey sticks and snow or ski boots (when carried along with related sports equipment such as a snowboard or skis), as well as the oversize fee for skis, snowboards, hockey sticks, and hockey bags.

As of January 7, 2008, customers who do not to pre-register their sporting equipment will be subject to all applicable excess piece and oversize fees when checking in at the airport on the day of departure.

For more information, click here.
aircanada.com


AGENTS SAVE YOU MONEY OVER ONLINE BOOKING FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL
Business travel itineraries booked on public Internet sites (such as Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, and the airlines' direct sites), have been found to average $75 more per itinerary than those booked by a corporate travel agency, according to a study conducted by Topaz International.

“The five years of comparative airline purchasing patterns indicates that the online alternatives are not always cheaper, but in fact have been higher over the past few years,” said Bradley Seitz, President and CEO of Topaz International. There are two primary drivers in the purchase of business travel today: price and service. And, in both differentials, corporations that use a travel management company are coming out on top.
Travelsavers.com


NEW ROUTE: OTTAWA - CHARLOTTETOWN ON AIR CANADA
Effective May 1, 2008, Air Canada will introduce the only daily non-stop service between Ottawa – Charlottetown, operated with a Bombardier CRJ aircraft.

In the summer, Air Canada will offer up to 11 daily flights to/from Prince Edward Island, with up to four daily flights to Halifax, three to Montreal, three to Toronto and one to Ottawa.
aircanada.com


WESTJET LAUNCHES WINTER SUN WITH FLIGHTS TO SIX NEW DESTINATIONS
New destinations include Montego Bay, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, St. Lucia, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan.
Travel Courier


NON-STOP FLIGHT FROM KELOWNA TO VEGAS ON WESTJET
WestJet is launching seasonal non-stop service from Kelowna to Las Vegas on January 17, 2008. The service will include outbound flights Thursdays and Sundays with returning flights Fridays and Mondays from January to April 2008.
Travel Courier

 

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