Transat consolidates tour operations, Nicole Bursey leaves company

Transat has consolidated its Canadian tour operator commercial activities, PAX has learned.

Nicole Bursey, who worked at Transat for just under 15 years (starting as a director of sales for Ontario and Atlantic Canada, and then later advancing to commercial director), has left the company, spokesperson Bernard Côté confirmed in an email to PAX on Tuesday (Oct. 8).

Julie Sareault is now Transat’s commercial director and will be responsible for overseeing the company’s tour operator commercial efforts nationally, Côté said. 

The reorganization was done to “simplify and streamline our sales activities,” Côté wrote.

Turbulent skies

The news comes on the heels of reports claiming that Transat A.T. Inc. was preparing to lay off some 80 employees.

Montreal-based Transat AT has been struggling to turn its finances around, according to a preliminary notice that was sent to the Quebec government.

Throughout the year, the company has faced several challenges, including stiff competition, engine recalls, and the threat of a union strike.

These factors have collectively put additional strain on Transat’s already fragile financial position.

In its first three quarters, Transat reported a combined net loss of $155.3 million versus a loss of $28.5 million during the same period a year earlier.

In September, when Transat announced a $39.9 million Q3 loss, Annick Guérard, president and CEO of Transat, blamed the decline on “evolving market conditions and industry-wide pressure.”

“Demand for leisure travel remains healthy, as evidenced by higher traffic, but consumers are increasingly price conscious given the current economic uncertainty,” Guérard said in a statement at the time. “Capacity increases throughout the industry also added to competitive pressure and negatively impacted yields.”

In response, Transat has launched comprehensive review – referred to the “Elevation Program” – that aims to accelerate its strategy and drive long-term profitable growth.

The program, initiated during the summer, is reviewing the company’s operations and business practices to optimize its overall execution and efficiency.

Transat’s goal is to achieve a $100 million improvement in annual adjusted EBITDA over the next 18 months, said Guérard.

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