Canadian airlines have enjoyed a two-year boom amid consumer hunger for post-pandemic travel. But as that pent-up demand recedes, the country's largest carrier hopes to ramp up ticket sales to corporate customers instead. Until recently, the travel surge that followed COVID-19 restrictions failed to reach the business world, where pandemic habits of video conferencing and remote work proved tough to shake. But Air Canada, which reported a Q1 earnings loss on Thursday — and suffered a 10% share price drop — perceives signs of a shift. "In Q1 it was relatively stable. We didn't see a big growth, as some of our American peers did," said Mark Galardo, head of revenue and network planning, referring to business travel. "But as we look late into the quarter and into Q2, we're starting to see some very encouraging signals on corporate demand — to the tune of almost 10 to 20% greater on a year-over-year basis." Air Canada said premium products — business cabin and premium economy fares — accounted for 30% of passenger revenue growth in its Q1. The tickets yield fatter profit margins than lower-tier seats. The bump hints at the potential demonstrated by US carriers, which enjoyed a marked rebound in business travel this year. Delta Air Lines posted a double-digit year-over-year leap in corporate sales in its first quarter. It expects record revenues from business passengers in the second, saying 90% of its corporate clients aim to continue or increase their travel levels this quarter. United Airlines' CFO said two weeks ago that its business-travel bounceback was "wind in our sails," and forecast stronger tailwinds to come. Alaska Airlines raised its 2024 earnings prediction earlier this month on the assumption that corporate income will offset rising fuel costs. More travel spending by technology companies such as Microsoft and Amazon contributed to the increase, the carrier said.<br/>
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Austrian Airlines has inaugurated its first direct flight from Vienna to Tbilisi International Airport. The airline will operate direct regular flights between Vienna and Tbilisi three times a week using an Airbus A320 aircraft. Founded in 1957, Austrian Airlines is a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group and a member of the Star Alliance.<br/>