Budget carrier Lynx Air says it's adding a new flight connecting Ottawa to Vancouver via Calgary, starting next May. Lynx, which dubs itself as an "ultra-affordable airline," said those new flights will connect Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to both Calgary and Vancouver international airports. The flights start May 17, 2024, and will run Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The airline said eight flights will fly in and out of the capital weekly. The Ottawa-Vancouver flights will be "through flights" with a short stop in Calgary. Lynx said the stops will be "seamless" and passengers travelling through to Vancouver won't have to deplane in Calgary. Fares will start at $79 one way including taxes, Lynx said. "YOW is pleased to extend a warm welcome to Lynx Air, recognizing the crucial role affordable air travel plays in connecting the Ottawa-Gatineau community and catering to the diverse needs of both residents and visitors," Mark Laroche, CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority, said in a news release Monday. Ottawa Tourism CEO Michael Crockatt said in the news release that he looks forward to welcoming more western Canadians to the nation's capital.<br/>
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Spanish low-cost airline Vueling has started offering treats for pets as part of the buy-on-board menu on its flights, it said on Monday, adding that it was the first such initiative in Europe. Vueling, which allows passengers to travel with pets of up to 8 kilograms, has developed the concept jointly with Belgian pet food maker Edgard & Cooper and the menu will include chicken bars and beef bites priced at E3.50 and E5.50, respectively.<br/>
Ryanair has said reports of a change to its charging policy are false and that passengers have never been asked to pay to download boarding passes. Over the past few days travellers have complained on social media that they have had to pay a "scandalous" new fee to access their boarding passes online. They were only able to download the electronic pass if they paid up to GBP21 for a seat first, they said. The alternative was to queue for a paper boarding pass at the airport. "All Ryanair passengers can pay for a reserved seat if they so wish or if passengers wish to avoid this seat fee, they can select a randomly allocated seat entirely free of charge," a Ryanair spokesperson said. However, several passengers have complained on social media that if they chose the option of a randomly allocated seat they were told they would have to pick up a paper boarding pass at the airport, a problem first reported in the Mail on Sunday two days ago. A series of indignant posts on X, formerly Twitter, have addressed Ryanair directly. "When and why did you start this carry on? I now have to QUEUE to collect my boarding pass at the airport?" said one passenger travelling from London to Belfast early on Monday morning. Another passenger said: "I just can't believe your new policy of not allowing passengers to create a boarding pass (mobile or print-out) unless they buy a seat, forcing them to join a check-in queue (30m or longer) to do so for no other reason for you to make a few quid. Scandalous."<br/>
Israeli flag-carrier El Al has firmed its agreement with travel company Issta following their tentative deal to establish a tourism and package-holiday joint venture. El Al says it will hold 60% of the new subsidiary’s shares while Issta takes the 40% balance. The venture will develop, market and sell tourism products and services including travel packages comprising flights, hotels and related financial arrangements. Under the agreement Issta has consented to El Al senior figures – including Kenny Rozenberg, Eli Rozenberg, and Daryl Hagler – to hold up to 20% of the venture through the El Al shareholding, if legal approval is obtained. As part of the deal Issta will purchase around 12.4m shares of El Al at a price of 3.3 ($0.89) shekels per share, through a private allocation. El Al has also reached an ancillary agreement covering provision of various services – including the use of infrastructure – to the venture, adding that these contributions are likely to decrease as the venture “becomes independent in its activities”. Neither El Al nor Issta will be able to enter similar ventures with third parties for the sale of tourism packages, says the carrier.<br/>
Indian startup Fly91 is targeting a February 2024 start date with flights connecting Jalgaon to Pune, Goa, and Hyderabad under the UDAN-5.0 scheme. India-based media outlets are reporting on a meeting held this week between Fly91 and Pune local government officials to discuss the launch and first routes. Fly91 is a joint venture between Indian airline executive Manoj Chacko and Mumbai-based private equity firm Convergent Finance. Chacko is best known as the former Executive Vice President (Commercial) of now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. Chacko has said he intends to commence operations with two ATR72-600s, growing to six within the first 12 months. "The airline has plans to start operations from Jalgaon in February," Jalgaon local government officials told media after the meeting. "They are in the process of getting all the required permissions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other relevant authorities." Fly91 secured its no objection certificate from the DGCA earlier this year but has yet to secure an air operator's certificate. The Indian government's Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik subsidised scheme aims to improve connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country. The government has released subsidies to operate specific routes with specific sized aircraft throughout various stages of the scheme. <br/>
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes says AirAsia will try to reduce its airfares but concedes it would be challenging given the rising oil prices and strong US dollar. The CEO of Capital A Bhd, AirAsia’s parent company, also called on people "to have a heart" as the budget airline recovered from the effects of the pandemic. "Despite the losses in revenue, our airfares are still substantially cheaper compared to others," he told reporters after an event at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) here on Monday. Fernandes said 92% of their domestic flights consisted of low-season airfares, adding deal flights were also offered throughout the year. "But also have a heart on us, we lost RM4b last year (and) last quarter we lost RM400m. I can’t control the price of oil. The US dollar is very strong - 75% of our costs are in Dollars. So when it is strong, my costs go up." There had been numerous calls, particularly from those in Sabah and Sarawak, for airlines to offer cheaper flights, especially during the festive seasons and school breaks.<br/>
Thai Smile will shut down by December 31, 2023, marking the end of 'WE' coded flights and the Thai Smile brand after eleven years of operation. The parent entity, Thai Airways International, will assume what routes it hasn't already taken over on January 1 and continue transferring assets and aircraft over the course of that month, with the process expected to be completed by January 31. Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri confirmed the news via a press release issued by the National News Bureau of Thailand. The Thai Smile website will remain active until December 15, with all existing reservations transferring to Thai Airways the following day. The LCC's call centre will remain open until December 31, after which callers will be transferred to the Thai Airways desk. Thai Airways announced plans to merge earlier this year. Thai Smile's original fleet of 20 A320-200s, all leased or sub-leased to the airline by Thai Airways, has now shrunk to less than ten as the parent entity progressively integrates the aircraft back into its fleet. Concurrently, the LCC has gradually transferred its routes to Thai Airways, including the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - Phuket, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - Chiang Mai, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - Gaya, and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi- Udon Thani routes on December 1, and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - Krabi and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - Siem Reap routes and all other still operating Thai Smile services from January 1, 2024.<br/>