Business Travel Tips

WestJet has launched its frequent-flier program.
Canada’s second-biggest carrier said that its loyalty program is mostly offering dollars off flights and holiday packages.
The dollars can be used as cash to pay for a flight on any date to any destination. There are no blackouts or seat restrictions on the reward flights.

- WestJet vs Air Canada

WestJet is also attempting to lure Air Canada customers away from the 25-year-old Aeroplan frequent flier program by persuading consumers to participate in a new program that offers rewards once an individual traveller spends more than $1,500 on WestJet flights annually.

Patrick Sojka, chief executive officer at rewardscanada.ca, which tracks a wide range of loyalty programs, said the main drawback of the WestJet frequent guest program is the relatively high threshold of minimum annual spending on WestJet flights.
He said Aeroplan still provides a greater number of options for consumers, especially through Air Canada’s membership in the Star Alliance of carriers.
WestJet is gradually building its airline partnerships, but it could be years before consumers are able to have access to a worldwide network. (source)

Body-scanning technology is to be deployed at nine more airports in the U.S.

With Boston’s Logan International Airport installing today three body-scanning machines and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport receiving one next week, the list of of the U.S. airports — published by TSA — to install this technology by this summer includes 11.

The list includes Boston Logan International (BOS), Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), Chicago O’Hare International (ORD), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FFL), Kansas City International (MCI), Los Angeles International (LAX), Mineta San José International (SJC), Oakland International (OAK), Port Columbus International (CMH), and San Diego International (SAN)

TSA says that a total of 450 AIT (Advanced Imaging Technology) units will be deployed by the end of 2010 and the additional airports will be announced in the near future.

Continental Airlines will start new service to Hawaii on March 7 — from Los Angeles and Orange County to Maui and a flight between Orange County and Honolulu.

- Schedule -

- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) (daily service)
Departure at 5:05PM and arrival at 8:45PM. The return flight will depart Maui at 10:15PM and arrive at Los Angeles at 5:45AM next day.

- Orange County - Maui (four times weekly)
Departure at 5:40PM and arrival at Maui’s Kahului Airport at 9:25PM. The return flight will depart Maui at 12:10AM and arrive at Orange County at 07:45AM

- Orange County to Honolulu (daily service)
Departure at 09:00AM and arrival in Honolulu at 12:45PM. The return flight will depart Maui at 2:00PM and arrive at Orange County at 9:35PM.

International scheduled air traffic is showing further improvement according to the statistics for January 2010 released by IATA — International Air Transport Association.

International passenger demand in January 2010 was up 6.4% when compared to the previous year. With passenger capacity increased by 1.2%, load factor has reached 75.9%, up from the 72.2% recorded for January 2009.

The figures for International cargo show demand in January 2010 was up 28.3%. With cargo capacity increased by 3.7%, load factor is at 49.6%.

IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic.
Explanation of measurement terms:
- RPK: Revenue Passenger Kilometres measures actual passenger traffic;
- ASK: Available Seat Kilometres measures available passenger capacity;
- PLF: Passenger Load Factor is % of ASKs used. In comparison of 2009 to 2008, PLF indicates point differential between the periods compared;
- FTK: Freight Tonne Kilometres measures actual freight traffic;
- AFTK: Available Freight Tonne Kilometres measures available total freight capacity;
- FLF: Freight Load Factor is % of AFTKs used
(source: IATA).

The Shoe Scanner idea has not been abandoned, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said.

- Updates on the project

Shoe Scanner, which find metal weapons and explosives in shoes, were unsuccessfully tested three years ago. However TSA says the latest generation of the machines promise better results and will improve security.

TSA started collecting data on Shoe Scanning Detection technology in the fall of 2008 and is currently soliciting industry input as it looks to explore future use of shoe scanning systems. In addition, TSA has requested funding for shoe scanning detection technology as part of the FY11 budget.

This would be a win-win because it’s the perfect balance of security and convenience.
Shoe removal has long been considered one of the most inconvenient aspects of airline security, so this would be welcomed with open arms (and shoed feet) by the flying public. I can assure you that our officers want this technology to work just as much or more than the passengers do.
This would allow them to focus their attention on other things and there would be much less clutter on the X-ray belts. (source: TSA)