June 2009

CALGARY, June 15, 2009 – Today’s departure of Air Canada flight AC 8315 marks the launch of the only daily, non-stop service between Calgary and Portland, OR.  Fares currently start as low as CAD $139 one way, before taxes and other fees.

“Air Canada is pleased to launch our newest transborder flights linking Calgary and Portland with daily non-stop service,” said Marcel Forget, Vice President, Network Planning, Air Canada. “We expect our new Portland service to be popular with business travellers as well as both Canadian and American vacationers looking to enjoy the year-round outdoor adventures offered in Alberta and in Oregon.  In addition, our Calgary-Portland flights have been timed for convenient connections to and from other points in our network including Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg.”

Air Canada flight AC8315 departs Calgary at 13:00, arriving in Portland at 13:37.  Air Canada flight AC8316 departs Portland at 14:10 and arrives back in Calgary at 16:45.  Flights are operated by Air Canada Jazz with 50-seat CRJ aircraft.  This new service complements the carrier’s four daily Vancouver-Portland flights.

Air Canada recently introduced three new non-stop services from Calgary.  Daily flights to San Diego CA launched on May 15, 2009, and daily non-stop flights to Whitehorse YT and London ON both began on June 1, 2009.

One hundred years after the first manned flight in Canada, Canadian aviation history again will be made when an Emirates airline Airbus A380 lands at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on June 1, 2009. The airline's double-decker aircraft will be the first to enter the Canadian market.

"We are extremely pleased to provide the A380 for our Dubai-Toronto service, which has had consistently strong demand since the three-times weekly route was launched in October, 2007," said Emirates President Tim Clark. "In fact, the demand has been so high it will only allow Emirates to address some of the unmet needs of the Toronto market," he added.

"The launch of the Dubai-Toronto A380 service means we will continue to invest in Canada, one of our most important markets. Our inaugural A380 flight to Toronto comes just after the hiring of Emirates' 500th Canadian employee. Our Canadian employees are in Canada and Dubai in positions ranging from management to pilots to cabin crew and engineers," Mr. Clark said.

"Despite the current economic difficulties, this is good news for the Canadian economy. We believe you need a long-term view. By adding this new ultra-efficient aircraft to Toronto, we are increasing trade and tourism capacity, but the three flights a week restriction remains a disappointment. We believe Toronto needs a daily A380 service and progressively, a second daily service with an aircraft like the 777," he added.

Dubai has been one of Canada's fastest growing export markets in recent years and Emirates has been lobbying for additional access to Toronto for a decade. Emirates has also indicated its interest in providing direct flights from Dubai to Calgary and Vancouver given the serious potential it sees for those markets.

The airline remains hopeful that the Canadian government will allow additional service to Canada to meet the demand for passenger and cargo traffic. This request is consistent with the government's Blue Sky policy on air liberalization, supported by several provincial and municipal governments and dozens of business and tourism stakeholders across Canada.

"The inaugural flight represents a significant milestone for Emirates' Toronto-Dubai service. Passengers are in for a treat when they fly on the Emirates A380. The aircraft features shower spas in the First Class cabin, an onboard lounge and our services include an extensive menu of multi-course meal options, created by top international chefs as well as our award-winning inflight entertainment product "ICE", with over 1200 channels of on-demand entertainment, sms and email facilities as well as seat-to-seat calling," said Nigel Page, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Americas and Africa.

Boston Logan International Airport is airline’s third U.S. destination, starting Sept. 14

TORONTO/June 18, 2009 – Porter Airlines is adding Boston to its growing list of destinations as part of its fall schedule. Service between Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA) and Boston Logan International Airport begins Sept. 14, with up to three daily non-stop roundtrips. Porter will be the only carrier offering service between these two convenient airports.

Boston is the third U.S. city to experience the airline’s unique high-quality short-haul air travel experience committed to speed, convenience and service. The route also offers connecting flights to other Porter destinations, including Ottawa, Montreal, Thunder Bay, Ont., and Quebec City. Flights are now available for bookin.

“Boston continues Porter’s current growth phase and becomes an important part of the network,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “The Boston-Toronto City Centre route provides a new connection between two of North America’s most vibrant cities.”

Porter offers unique onboard service, including complimentary wine, beer and premium snacks. It is based at its own dedicated TCCA terminal, one of the most convenient urban airports in the world, situated just minutes from downtown. Complimentary Porter shuttle buses offer passengers a short transfer to the financial and entertainment districts. The airport is also accessible by various public and private transportation options.

“We are very pleased that Porter Airlines is landing at Boston Logan International Airport, the gateway to New England,’’ said Edward C. Freni, director of aviation for the Massachusetts Port Authority, which owns and operates Logan. “As the fourth new airline at Logan this year, Porter’s service to Toronto City Centre Airport will provide Boston travelers a unique and convenient way to get to downtown Toronto.’’

EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2009 the WHTI requires travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States. WHTI establishes document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.

What documents are valid for Canadian citizens?

A passport issued by the Government of Canada, a valid trusted traveler program card (FAST, NEXUS, or SENTRI), or an EDL.
U.S. and Canadian children under the age of 16 will be able to present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship.

What documents are valid for US citizens?

A passport issued by the U.S. Government, a passport card, a valid trusted traveler program card (FAST, NEXUS, or SENTRI), an enhanced driver’s license (EDL), a Military ID with official travel orders, or a U.S. Merchant Mariner Document.

Note: Air travel requirements went into effect January 23, 2007 and now all travelers including children must present a passport or secure travel document when entering the United States by air.

Almost 5 million free nights at over 4,000 hotels around the globe are up for grabs, as IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world's largest hotel company, launches its biggest free nights offer, ever.

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