Air Canada ended 2013 on a bullish note – and no wonder. The company reported a record load factor (percentage of available seats sold) not just for December but for the whole year as well. President and CEO Calvin Rovinescu – who was named top Canadian executive of the year by the Globe and Mail credited an increase in transborder traffic, the airline’s “disciplined capacity management” and its employees.
All very well for Air Canada, but what does this mean to you, the traveller?
“The better Air Canada’s financial results, the more upgrades they’ll provide to their service,” says Joel Ostrov, president of Vision Travel, who believes the airline’s success can also be attributed to Rovinescu’s “excellent leadership” and the recent stability of fuel prices – traditionally the second highest cost for a carrier.
Michael Broadhurst, Vision’s executive vice-president, agrees that the carrier’s success will continue. “Travellers will continue to support Air Canada as long as it maintains its service levels and pro-client attitude, which I believe present management encourages.”
Vision Travel is a member of Air Canada’s Circle of Excellence which recognizes most influential travel agencies in the country. Fewer than one percent of Canadian agencies are in the Circle of Excellence.
High load factors weren’t the only reason to celebrate Air Canada as a key partner with Vision. The airline also received the Best Airline in North America Award for the fourth consecutive year. No doubt this is due in part to its modern fleet of over 350 aircraft – including 10 dedicated to its innovative new vacation brand, rouge, as well as plans to add new Boeing 787s. As Broadhurst added, “We should not underestimate its reputation compared to their competitors.”