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Wednesday, August 5, 2026
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Air Canada is continuing to suspend service to Dubai and Tel Aviv as the security situation in the Middle East remains uncertain. The airline confirmed Tuesday (Aug. 4) that flights to and from Dubai (DXB) and Tel Aviv (TLV) will remain suspended through mid-January 2027, extending disruptions on two of its long-haul international routes.
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WestJet flight operations continue to stabilize following the airline's labour disruption over the weekend, with no mainline flight cancellations reported so far today (Aug. 5), according to Cirium. The aviation data firm shows that WestJet has cancelled zero of its 460 scheduled mainline flights on Aug. 5. The figures exclude WestJet Encore operations.
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Registration is now open for Air Canada Vacations' annual “Dream Makers” fall product launch events for travel advisors. The cross-country roadshow returns this fall with its signature mix of product presentations and a supplier trade show, giving advisors an early look at ACV's latest sun and global travel offerings ahead of the winter selling season.
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Air India is expanding its Canadian network for the winter 2026-27 season, launching a new non-stop route between Toronto and Mumbai while introducing its newest cabin products on flights between Toronto and Delhi. The airline says it has begun deploying its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on Toronto-Delhi flights, marking the first time Canadians will have access to Air India's latest onboard experience.
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Transcend Cruises has officially launched MS Connect, marking the debut of what the company describes as the world's first river cruise ship developed exclusively for the charter and group market. “With MS Connect, we are completely redefining river cruising for groups," says Gregg Marston, CEO of Transcend Cruises. See onboard pictures of the new ship!
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Travel Nevada has launched the Nevada Specialist Challenge in Canada, a trade incentive aimed at helping Canadian travel pros deepen their destination knowledge while improving their ability to sell Nevada vacations. The initiative invites the trade to win one of eight Nevada familiarization (FAM) trips.
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Armstrong Collective has named Carly Biggart as its new vice president, global sales, tasking the Toronto-based travel industry pro with leading the company's worldwide sales strategy as it looks to expand the global reach of its luxury rail brands, Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit.
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AmaWaterways has revealed the first images of AmaNubia, its newest luxury river ship set to debut on the Nile River in November 2026, while also sharing updated renderings of the reimagined AmaDahlia, which will enter service in September 2026. The new vessels, together with the AmaLilia, represent the company's continued investment in Egypt as demand for luxury travel to the destination continues to grow.
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Sandals Resorts is marking Jamaica's Independence celebrations with a month-long campaign aimed at Canadian travel advisors, featuring enhanced booking incentives and a special virtual event on Aug. 6. The promotions come ahead of the reopening of three Jamaica properties later this year following a US$200 million transformation.
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Crystal is expanding its future fleet with the confirmation of a third next-generation ocean ship to be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Scheduled for delivery in 2034, the new ship will join Crystal Grace, which is currently under construction at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard and is scheduled to debut in 2028, as well as a sister ship set to arrive in May 2031.
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Aurora Expeditions has unveiled “Aurora Advisor Advantage,” a new suite of benefits, tools and service enhancements aimed at making it easier and more rewarding for travel advisors to sell the company's small-ship expedition voyages. Updates include a revised commission model, inside rates and a "Dates and Rates" tool.
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Global investment in travel and tourism exceeded US$1 trillion in 2025, helping the sector contribute a record US$11.6 trillion to global GDP, according to new research released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The United States, China, India and Saudi Arabia accounted for nearly half of all global travel and tourism capital investment in 2025, contributing almost US$500 billion, the report says.
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Flair Airlines is expanding its partnership with global payments provider Elavon, adopting the company's managed chargeback services across its payments environment as part of an effort to improve operational efficiency and strengthen its payment dispute processes.
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RIU Hotels & Resorts has reopened the Hotel Riu Palace Aruba following a comprehensive renovation designed to modernize the property and enhance the guest experience. The renovation includes redesigned public spaces, renovated accommodations, updated dining concepts and refreshed outdoor areas.
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HX Expeditions has become the first commercial cruise line to call at Old Harbor, an Alutiiq community on Kodiak Island, marking a milestone in its commitment to community-led exploration in Alaska. The inaugural visit took place on Aug. 2 aboard MS Roald Amundsen during HX's Alaska & British Columbia | Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands voyage.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Transat has announced two sales appointments aimed at strengthening its support for travel advisor partners across Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Effective Aug. 3, Dima Fahed has been appointed manager of sales, Ontario and Atlantic Canada, while Niary Iskander has been named account manager for Eastern Ontario.
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WestJet's flight attendants are back at work, but the labour saga isn't over yet. A tentative agreement that ended the August long weekend strike now heads to a ratification vote, leaving the deal's long-term future uncertain. As WestJet rebuilds its network after nearly 1,000 flight cancellations, attention shifts from operational recovery to whether flight attendants will approve a deal aimed at addressing unpaid work and wages.
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Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled a first look at Great Tides Waterpark, its new attraction at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, ahead of its grand opening on Sept. 4, 2026. Guests will find 19 waterslides, new dining venues, bars, cabanas and family-friendly attractions designed to appeal to travellers of all ages.
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