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Canada Jetlines wants to work with travel agents, says CCO Duncan Bureau By Kathryn Folliott TORONTO — The executive team at Canada Jetlines isn’t daunted by the pandemic and its impact on travel and the airline industry. In fact, the pandemic is not an obstacle, but an opportunity, says Canada Jetlines CEO Eddy Doyle. Briefing the media on Dec. 9 in a virtual presentation with the airline’s executive team, Doyle said Canada Jetlines “can take advantage of competitors who have been financially weakened by the pandemic. We also have the benefit of starting with a clean slate … without debts and vouchers accumulated by established airlines.” The start-up carrier is also finding many highly trained airline employees who are looking for work, he added. Crew training is set to start in early 2022. As reported last month, the airline and its wholesale arm, Jetlines Vacations, will market and sell seats on GlobalX public charter flights, on GlobalX aircraft, between Toronto and Miami. The flights will operate for six weeks, March 4-April 17, 2022 and tickets are expected to go on sale before the end of December 2021. The six-week run will help Canada Jetlines dip into the market, says Doyle. Currently the airline is awaiting the green light from the Canadian Transportation Agency for its own operations, which will then review the company’s proof of adequate funding submission. Canada Jetlines has been trying to get off the ground in one form or other for the past several years, but with different executive teams. The executive team in place now - including Doyle as CEO, and another industry veteran, Duncan Bureau, as Chief Commercial Officer - looks to have momentum. Whether or not the Canadian market needs yet another airline - or can absorb even more capacity - coming out of the uncertainty of a pandemic remains to be seen. So far the company’s ramp-up plan appears to be measured, with one aircraft scheduled for delivery in March 2022, three more in July 2022, another seven in June 2023, 12 in June 2024 and 15 in June 2025. All of the aircraft will be A320s, with all economy class seating, with extra 6 | TRAVELWEEK | December 16, 2021
Clockwise from top left: Canada Jetlines’ Chief Commercial Officer Duncan Bureau; CEO Eddy Doyle with CFO Barbara Syrek; Grant Howard, President, The Howard Group; and Chairman of the Canada Jetlines board, Ryan Goepel
comfort seats available at a premium. The pandemic “provided a rare opportunity to cut some incredible deals” on aircraft, says the company.
In 2023, the goal is growth out of Toronto and direct flights to the Caribbean from Atlantic Canada. By 2024 the airline wants to enter the Western Canadian market. TRAVEL AGENTS ARE A PRIORITY As outlined by Doyle on Dec. 9, Canada Jetlines is aiming to operate its first revenue flight in Q2 2022, and wants to introduce flights from Toronto to the U.S., Mexico, Caribbean and Canadian destinations throughout 2022. In 2023, the goal is growth out of Toronto and new direct flights to the Caribbean from Atlantic Canada. By 2024 the airline wants to enter the Western Canadian market, and continue to expand through 2025 with more U.S. and Caribbean destinations from gateways across Canada. And it wants to do it all with the help
of travel agents. As the former president of Air Canada Rouge, and with years of airline industry experience, Canada Jetlines’ CCO Duncan Bureau knows the strength behind the travel agent distribution channel. Maybe that’s why ‘traditional travel agencies’ were at the top of Canada Jetlines’ distribution channel list in the presentation. Bricks-and-mortar travel agencies were followed by TMCs, the airline’s own online booking engine and call centre, OTAs, tour operators and consolidators. “We want to be on as many shelves as possible,” says Bureau. “Whatever the preferred way is that the consumer wants to look and book, we will be there.” He added that Canada Jetlines is currently in talks with a number of retail travel groups, with agreements pending. “We are actively working with strategic partners,” he said. In October 2021 Canada Jetlines announced its partnership with Softvoyage. The tech provider will give Jetlines’ customers access to hotels, attractions, air packages and other ancillary travel services. It will also provide the airline with distribution via the group’s network, both on a B2B and B2C basis. As Bureau notes, Softvoyage’s SIREV is used by more than 90% of Canada’s travel advisors.
