WestJet Airlines has replaced its basic ticket tier with a new fare category that does away with a free carry-on bag and other perks travellers once took for granted. The Calgary-based airline said Tuesday its new "UltraBasic category," the lowest-priced of seven fare classes, is a no-frills fare. Travellers flying UltraBasic get pre-assigned seats at the back of the aircraft and will have to pay extra to select a seat, even when checking in. They will also board last. They will also not be permitted to stow a carry-on bag in the overhead bins, unless they choose to pay extra for that privilege. However, UltraBasic travellers can still bring a personal item to be stored under the seat, and a carry-on is included for trans-ocean routes. On its website, WestJet said the introduction of UltraBasic will result in price reductions across its routes. The airline committed to providing affordable options after shutting down its ultra low-cost airline Swoop and buying the low-cost Sunwing Airlines. The airline also expects the move to help free up coveted overhead bin space and make the boarding process smoother overall. "It is anticipated that the introduction of UltraBasic will expedite the boarding process, contributing to enhanced on-time performance and a better guest experience," the airline stated.<br/>
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Flair Airlines CE Stephen Jones will be retiring this summer after more than three years at the helm of the discount carrier. The CEO’s tenure spanned a turbulent period for the seven-year-old company as the airline expanded its fleet but also hit financial headwinds amid stiff competition. Flair said Tuesday a recruitment process for a replacement is underway and that chief operating officer Maciej Wilk was named interim CEO until the board selects a successor. Jones is set to step down on June 28, he said. The Edmonton-based airline’s 20-plane fleet will “continue operating normally” during the transition, even as some hurdles from the past 18 months remain, the company said. Jones said he felt ready to retire and faced “no pressure to move on.” “I’m just at an age and stage in my life that I want to achieve some other goals,” said Jones, who turns 63 in a couple of weeks. I’ve been working pretty much non-stop for 40 years — and some pretty tough jobs.”<br/>
An international airline has been fined after ignoring an Immigration New Zealand order and allowed a passenger to board a flight in Sydney. Air Asia X allowed a Malaysian passport holder travelling to New Zealand from Kuala Lumpur via Sydney to board the flight despite receiving a notification from Immigration New Zealand that he was not allowed to and needed to be spoken to. The airline has now been fined $11,475 and ordered to pay court costs. “He was identified by a border immigration officer as a risk due to an adverse immigration history in Australia. The immigration officer had doubts that he was a genuine visitor to New Zealand and wanted to speak to him before boarding,” Immigration New Zealand said. Air Asia X had directed its ground handling agent to intercept the passenger before the flight to New Zealand. A ground handling agent then admitted that they had boarded the passenger despite knowing of INZ’s instruction not to. Once the passenger arrived in New Zealand, he was interviewed by immigration officials, refused entry and returned home.<br/>