Air Canada Issues Advisory For Travel Impacted By Hurricane Wilma
MONTREAL, October 19, 2005 - Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Wilma, Air Canada has revised its ticketing policies for customers scheduled to travel to and from Cancun, Havana and Florida.
To facilitate changes to travel plans, Air Canada has waived change fees, for a one-time change, for customers holding discounted tickets for travel to and from Cancun, Havana and Florida between October 19 and October 23, 2005, inclusively.
Customers who have commenced travel to/from these destinations and are holding a valid return ticket, may change their return booking without additional fare collection or change fees.
All changes should be made prior to the original date of travel.
For assistance with changing travel plans, customers are advised to contact their travel agent or Air Canada Reservations before their original ticketed travel date, at 1-888-247-2262; TTY: 1-800-361-8071.
August 20th
Statement From Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines (NASDAQ: NWAC) today said that it plans to operate its normal schedule despite the failure to reach a consensual agreement with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).
Because of the failure to reach an agreement with AMFA leadership prior to the midnight (EDT), August 20 deadline, Northwest has implemented new terms and conditions for its mechanics as permitted by the federal Railway Labor Act.
As always, Northwest customers can check on the status of their flights by utilizing the airline's web site, www.nwa.com or by calling the NWA flight information line at (800) 441-1818.
Northwest Airlines is the world's fourth largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,600 daily departures.
August 15th
Statement From British Airways
British Airways services into and out of London Heathrow continue to return to normal following the unofficial industrial action taken by some of the airline's staff and employees at the catering supplier at London Heathrow, Gate Gourmet.
The Heathrow shorthaul operation should return to normal today, Monday 15 August, with plans to operate 100 per cent of flights. This return to normal for UK and European flights is a day earlier than originally envisaged.
The longhaul operation is also returning to normal with plans to operate over 95 per cent of flights for the next couple of days.
We apologise unreservedly to our customers. This is an unprecedented situation. We are doing everything we can to help our customers and have drafted in additional staff from around the airline to assist.
Flights operating out of Gatwick and UK regions are operating as normal.
All customers are advised to check details of their flights on Arrivals and Departures. Please click here to access this facility.
Please note that all flights are planned to operate unless specifically shown as 'cancelled' on Arrivals and Departures.
Departures last Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday:
If you were due to fly on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday (11,12,13 or 14 August) and do not have a confirmed booking and still wish to travel on British Airways, please call British Airways in the UK on 0800 727 800, in the USA or Canada on 1-800-AIRWAYS or click here for telephone numbers of British Airways offices worldwide. Alternatively you can contact your travel agent.
Departures from Monday onwards:
If you have a confirmed booking to travel the week commencing Monday 15 August, please check Arrivals and Departures for the latest flight information and flight status.
Please click here to access our online Arrivals and Departures facility.
Please note the following:
Your flight is planned to operate as normal unless it is showing as cancelled in ‘Arrivals and Departures’.
If your flight is operating, please go to the airport and check in as normal. There is no need to call to re-confirm.
If your flight is cancelled, then please call British Airways on 0800 727 800 (UK) or 1-800-AIRWAYS (USA and Canada) or click here for telephone numbers of British Airways offices worldwide.
Catering update
All flights into and out of Heathrow will have very limited onboard catering provisions due to an industrial dispute at supplier, Gate Gourmet, who is still unable to offer us a full catering service.
Arrangements have been made for limited catering to be provided on the ground prior to departure. Customers are strongly advised to eat before leaving for the airport or to allow extra time at the airport to eat.
We apologise to those customers who are affected by this action but, regrettably, this is a situation beyond our control.
More information:
British Airways has put a policy in place which outlines re-booking options and procedures for all customers affected by these flight cancellations. To view this policy please click here. This policy is applicable for all flights to/from Heathrow up to 23:59 local time on Friday 19 August 2005.
Please note: Any customers who wish to change their travel plans, whose flight is operating, must now abide by the rules of the ticket purchased.
To re-book, customers in the UK can call the freephone telephone number 0800 727 800. Customers in the USA can contact the airline on 1-800 AIRWAYS. Telephone numbers for British Airways offices worldwide can be found if you click here.
Customers can also contact their local travel agents.
August 14th
Statement From British Airways
We aim to have the Heathrow shorthaul operation back to normal by Tuesday 16 August. The longhaul operation is expected to take a little longer, due to the complex logistics in re-building the schedule.
Sunday's departures
We plan to fly up to 85 per cent of our scheduled shorthaul services and 80 per cent of longhaul services from London Heathrow on Sunday 14 August. The provisional Sunday schedule, with expected departure times, is available on Arrivals and Departures. Please click here to access Arrivals and Departures.
If you have a confirmed booking for Sunday 14 August, you should still check Arrivals and Departures shortly before you leave for the airport, as flights may be subject to last minute changes. The system is being updated continuously throughout the day.
Monday's departures
The schedule for Monday is yet to be confirmed, we do expect some cancellations and some flights could be subject to last minute changes. These will be updated here as soon as we have them.
Catering update
All flights into and out of Heathrow will have limited catering provisions due to an industrial dispute at supplier, Gate Gourmet, who is still unable to offer us a full catering service.
Statement From British Airways
British Airways has resumed services in to and out of London Heathrow following the unofficial industrial action taken by some of the airline's staff and its catering supplier at London Heathrow, Gate Gourmet.
We plan to operate up to 50 per cent of our shorthaul and 75 per cent of our longhaul services in to and out of London Heathrow on Saturday 13 August. Only customers with confirmed reservations on these services will be accepted for travel.
Longhaul Flights
Information relating to longhaul flights operating on Saturday is confirmed.
Check our Arrivals and Departures facility for further details. When using this service, please ensure you use the original date of your flight.
The following longhaul flights have been delayed by up to 24 hours and are now arriving in to London Heathrow on Saturday morning. They were all originally due to depart on 11 August and are now all departing tonight.
Departing Flight #'s
Los Angeles BA278 BA282, San Francisco BA284 BA286, New York BA112 BA174 BA176, Miami BA206 BA208, Phoenix BA288, Johannesburg BA056 BA054, Cape Town BA058, Sydney/Singapore BA016, Sydney/Bangkok BA010, Melbourne/Singapore BA018, Nairobi BA064, Delhi BA142.
European and Domestic Flights
Information relating to shorthaul services operating on Saturday is up to date for flights departing before 10.00 am local time. Customers travelling after this time are strongly recommended to check Arrivals and Departures just prior to leaving for the airport.
To access Arrivals and Departures click here.
All flights in and out of Heathrow will have limited catering provisions onboard as our catering supplier, Gate Gourmet, is still unable to offer us a full catering service.
The airline faces a complex logistical challenge with at least 100 aircraft and 1,000 flying crew out of position. As a result it will take some time to return to a normal flying programme. We recognise how frustrating this must be but we are working as hard as we can to get customers away.
We apologise unreservedly to our customers. This is an unprecedented situation. We are doing everything we can to help our customers and have drafted in additional staff from around the airline to assist at the airport and in our telephone enquiry centres.
August 12th
Statement From British Airways
British Airways has extended its flight cancellation programme at London Heathrow airport until 8pm tonight (UK time) Friday 12 August.
The extension of the flight cancellations is a direct result of on-going unofficial industrial action being taken by some British Airways employees belonging to the Transport and General Workers Union. The action, by around 1000 staff in key operational areas at London Heathrow, is believed to be in support of former employees of Gate Gourmet, the British Airways catering supplier.
All customers booked to travel from London Heathrow before 8pm today should not come to the airport as we are experiencing heavy congestion at the terminals. We would ask for your patience and understanding during this very difficult time.
We apologise unreservedly to our customers. This is an unprecedented situation. We are doing everything we can to help our customers and have drafted in additional staff from around the airline to assist at the airport and in our telephone enquiry centres.
Customers due to fly to London Heathrow today should check with their local British Airways office or ba.com before starting their journey.
Customers can check the status of their flight on ba.com, before they leave for the airport, using our online arrivals and departures page. To access this page, please click here.
British Airways will re-book customers due to travel on cancelled flights but this is likely to be after the weekend. Alternatively customers can book to travel to an alternative destination or take a refund.
August 11th
Statement From British Airways
British Airways has cancelled all flights into and out of London Heathrow airport until at least 6pm on Friday August 12.
This follows the suspension of all British Airways' Heathrow flights this afternoon as a result of unofficial industrial action by staff from catering company Gate Gourmet. This unofficial action spread to British Airways ground staff.
Due to the uncertainty of the industrial situation at Heathrow and aircraft and flying crew being out of position, the airline has taken the decision to cancel all flights until tomorrow evening.
We apologise unreservedly to our customers.
Customers due to travel before 6pm tomorrow should not go to London Heathrow Airport but should contact the airline or their travel agent to arrange a refund or rebook their travel plans.
We recommend that customers check the status of their flight, before they leave for the airport, using our online arrivals and departures page. To access this page, please click here.
British Airways has put a policy in place which outlines re-booking options and procedures for all customers affected by this industrial action. To view this policy please click here.
News Release: GTAA Update On Operations At Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport is operational. Arrivals and Departures are taking place. Four of the airports five runways are available for use. Runway 24L, which was closed due to the overrun of Air France Flight #358, remains closed and will be until a thorough investigation has been completed and the runway has been cleared for use by the necessary authorities.
Travellers are urged to contact their airline prior to coming to the airport. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) also advises passengers to check its web site (www.gtaa.com) for updated information as it becomes available.
The Transportation Safety Board has begun their investigation and they have control over the site of the incident. Peel Regional Police have established a security line around the site and are continuing to maintain this perimeter.
August 3rd
Statement From WestJet
Departures out of Toronto are currently facing delays and WestJet has cancelled a number of flights serving that city.
Any WestJet guests who are scheduled for a flight into or out of Toronto may change their booking to another WestJet flight for travel until August 9, 2005 (inclusive) at no charge until 12:01 a.m. (MDT) August 4, 2005. Please use Flight Tracker at westjet.com to check current flight departure and arrival information.
If you have any further questions, please contact WestJet directly at 1.800.538.5696.
News Release: GTAA Update On Operations At Toronto Pearson International Airport
A press conference was held by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) at 09:00 edt. to provide an update on the overrun of Air France Flight No. 358 and the present operations of Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The airport is operational. Approximately 540 flights from a number of airlines were cancelled yesterday as a result of both the Air France overrun and the extreme weather conditions at the airport.
At present, Toronto Pearson has three of its five runways operational. A fourth runway is expected to be reopened after an aerial observation has been conducted by the Transportation Safety Board. This reopening will aid operations and the clearing of backlogged flights and is expected around mid-day. Passengers are strongly urged to contact their respective airline prior to coming to the airport to check on the status of their flight. The Authority's web site (www.gtaa.com) will be updated with information as it becomes available.
The response by the GTAA's Emergency Services and outside agencies involved in this situation is to be commended. The response time from the initial call to having first responders on scene was approximately 52 seconds. At this time, the fire has been contained and crews continue to douse hot
spots of the aircraft.
The scene of the incident has been secured and is being controlled by the Peel Regional Police. The Transportation Safety Board is at the airport and their investigation has begun.
Another press conference is schedule for today at 15:00 edt. It is anticipated those in attendance will include Transport Minister Jean C. Lapierre, representatives from Air France, officials from the GTAA, GTAA Emergency Services personnel, Toronto EMS, Peel EMS, Transportation Safety Board, Peel Regional Police, Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services and the R.C.M.P.
The press conference will take place at the GTAA Administration Building located at 3111 Convair Drive (Hwy. 401 & Renforth Drive).
August 3rd
Statement From Air Canada
Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz advise that flight operations at Toronto's Pearson International Airport are resuming this morning following the closure of the airport for much of yesterday due to an incident involving an Air France aircraft, as well as severe thunderstorm activity in the Toronto area that caused ground operation stoppages.
Air Canada is working to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. As aircraft are repositioned to operate today's schedule, some delays and a limited number of cancellations to and from Toronto are expected. Customers with flights scheduled to and from Toronto are strongly advised to check on the status of their flight prior to proceeding to the airport by consulting aircanada.com (we have noticed Air Canada's website to be experiencing heavy load issues and website performance is spotty, so try numerous times if you are not able to connect right away), or by calling Air Canada's automated flight information system at 1-888-422-7533, or by using a web-enhanced cell phone.
Customers with flights affected by yesterday's operational disruptions are requested not to present themselves at the airport without a confirmed reservation on an alternate flight. Customers wishing to make alternative travel arrangements can do so without penalty, space permitting, through Air Canada Reservations at 1-888-247-2262; TTY: 1-800-361-8071.
The following flights are cancelled for August 3, 2005:
002, 094, 095, 104, 108, 114, 116, 122, 136, 146, 166, 185, 190, 201, 235, 252, 270, 292, 294, 295, 313, 346, 347, 355, 379, 487, 515, 516, 542, 568, 569, 589, 603, 605, 607, 701, 792, 872, 879, 881, 883, 891, 923, 1038, 1061, 1083, 1101, 1174, 1183, 1184, 1239
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