WestJet and Saudia announce interline agreement unlocking enhanced international connectivity to more than 100 destinations Français
CALGARY, AB, June 30, 2025 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced a new interline partnership agreement with Saudia, significantly enhancing global connectivity across both carriers' networks. The agreement includes single-connection access to Jeddah via Toronto Pearson as well as both Jeddah and Riyadh from London Heathrow and Paris Charles-de-Gaulle.
"An interline partnership with Saudia marks a major step forward in expanding global connectivity for our guests," said John Weatherill, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. "This agreement not only provides WestJet guests with seamless single-connection access to Saudia's extensive global network but also strengthens inbound tourism and business links. Together, WestJet and Saudia are creating more convenient and diverse travel options for guests on both sides, fostering stronger connections and collaboration across continents."
Arved von zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer at Saudia, said, "We value the partnership with WestJet, it reflects Saudia's commitment to offer our guests more destinations through key international gateways. Canada is now closer than ever, and we are also offering a seamless journey for travellers from Canada to explore Saudi Arabia and experience its unique culture, heritage, and hospitality."
The agreement was signed by Arved von zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer at Saudia, and John Weatherill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer at WestJet.
Guests can now book a single ticket with a connected itinerary between WestJet and Saudia's networks with single point check-in and through-checked bags. Bookings will be available through a travel agent or third-party ticket sales websites.
About WestJet
WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Following integration with Sunwing in 2025, more than 14,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.
As a major Canadian employer that includes WestJet Airlines, Sunwing Vacations Group and WestJet Cargo, the WestJet Group is Canada's leading low-cost airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.
Learn more about WestJet at westjet.com/en-ca/who-we-are (also available in French)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
CONVERSION OF DEBENTURE INTEREST INTO EQUITY AND AMENDMENT OF DEBENTURES
MONTRÉAL, July 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Geekco Technologies Corporation (the " Corporation" or " Geekco") (TSXV: GKO) is pleased to announce that, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the convertible debenture units issued on March 1, 2021 (the " First Tranche Debentures Units 2021"), April 14, 2021 (the " Second Tranche Debenture Units 2021", and collectively with the First Tranche Debenture Units 2021, the " Debentures Units 2021") and March 1, 2023 (the " Debentures Units 2023"), Geekco has agreed, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the " TSXV"), to issue (i) 1,724,133 class A shares (the " Common Shares") as settlement of payments of interest at a rate of 10% per year on an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 of the First Tranche Debentures Units 2021 and equal to $100,000; (ii) 500,000 Common Shares as settlement of payments of interest at a rate of 10% per year on an aggregate principal amount of $250,000 of the Second Tranche Debentures Units 2021 and equal to $25,000; and (iii) 1,293,103 Common Shares as settlement of payments of interest at a rate of 15% per year on an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 of the Debentures Units 2023 and equal to $75,000. The Common Shares will be issued at the price of $0.058 per Common Share with respect to the First Tranche Debentures Units 2021 and Debenture Units 2023, which is equal to the volume-weighted average trading price (" VWAP") of the Common Shares on the TSXV for the last 20 days prior to the respective applicable payment date. The Common Shares will be issued at the price of $0.05 per Common Share with respect to the Second Tranche Debentures Units 2021, which equals the closing price on the applicable payment date, as it exceeded the 20-day VWAP. The Common Shares will also be subject to a statutory four-month hold period beginning on the date of issuance. Extension and Modifications to Outstanding Convertible Debentures Geekco also announces modifications to the outstanding First Tranche Debentures Units 2021, Second Tranche Debentures Units 2021 and Debenture Units 2023, representing an aggregate principal amount of $1,720,000. The modifications consist of an extension of their respective maturity dates by 24 months from the current maturity date of March 1, 2025, with respect to the First Tranche Debentures Units 2021 and the Debentures Units 2023 (together representing an aggregate principal amount of $1,470,000), and April 14, 2025, for the Second Tranche Debenture Units (representing an aggregate principal amount of $250,000) (the " Current Maturity Date"). During this extended period, (i) the minimum conversion price of the principal amount in Common Shares by the Corporation will be of $0.15 during the first 12 months from the Current Maturity Date and of $0.30 thereafter; (ii) the VWAP of the Common Shares for the last 20 days on the TSXV which triggers the option by the Corporation to accelerate the conversion is of $0.225 during the first 12 months from the Current Maturity Date and of $0.30 thereafter; and (iii) the conversion rate of the principal amount in Common Shares by the debentures units holders will be of 6,666 Common Shares per $1,000 Debenture if converted during the first 12-month period from the issue date and of 3,333 Common Shares thereafter. All other terms of the debenture units remain unchanged, including those of the attached warrants, which have not been extended and have thus expired at maturity, as well as the respective interest rates of 10% for the 2021 Debenture Units and 15% for the 2023 Debenture Units, except that interests for the latter with respect to its third anniversary year and going forward are now payable at the maturity date (uncompounded and not capitalized). Each Warrant which were attached to the Debenture Units 2021 and the Debenture Units 2023 (now expired) entitled their holders to acquire one Common Share for a period of 24 months at an exercise price equal to (i) $0.75 during the first year ($0.50 for the Debenture Units 2023) and (ii) $1.00 during the second year ($0.75 for the Debenture Units 2023), provided that if the volume weighted trading price of the Common Shares for the last 20 days on the TSXV is equal to, or greater than the applicable exercise price plus 20% per Common Share, then the Corporation may force the holder to exercise the Warrants into Common Shares within 30 days, after which the Warrants shall automatically expire. These modifications will take effect as of the respective Current Maturity Date of each set of convertible debentures, subject to the approval of the TSXV. For more details on the Debenture Units 2021 and Debenture Units 2023, please refer to the press releases issued by the Corporation on March 1 and April 14, 2021, as well as March 2 and April 13, 2023. The Debenture Units 2023 indirectly held by Henri Harland, a holder of more than 10% of the outstanding securities of the Corporation, through Gestion Harland Inc., are now convertible into up to a potential of 3,333,333 Common Shares. In addition, 1,293,103 Common Shares were issued to Gestion Harland Inc. in settlement of interest payments on the Debenture Units 2023. As a result, Mr. Harland's shareholding, directly and indirectly, has increased by 0.69% to reach 21.33% on an undiluted basis after closing of the above repricing of the Debentures Units 2023 (has increased by 1.65% to reach 26.30% on a partly diluted basis). Xavier Harland, a holder of more than 10% of the outstanding securities of the Corporation on a partly diluted basis, has received directly 43,103 Common Shares pursuant to the settlement of the interests in shares and his Debenture Units 2021 are now convertible into up to a potential of 166,666 Common Shares. His shareholding, directly and indirectly, decreased by 0.35% to reach 8.77% on an undiluted basis after closing of the settlement of payments of interests and the above repricing of the First Tranche Debentures Units 2021 (decreased by 0.48% to reach 14.30% on a partly diluted basis). The issuances of the Common Shares to those insiders constitute related party transactions, but which are exempt from the requirement to provide a formal valuation and obtain minority approval under Regulation 61-101 respecting Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (" Regulation 61-101"), and the board of directors of the Corporation, which includes independent directors in respect of the transactions who are not employees of the Corporation, has unanimously approved the issuances. These transactions are exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of Regulation 61-101 as the Corporation is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the fair market value of any security issued to, or the consideration paid, does not exceed 25% of the Corporation's market capitalization. Geekco did not file a material change report pertaining to the insiders' interests more than 21 days prior to the closing date, as such insiders' interests were not determined at that time. The board members of the Corporation unanimously reviewed its financial conditions and the state of the financial market and determined that the terms and conditions of the conversion of debenture interest into equity, including the issuance to the related party, were fair and equitable and represented the best strategic option available. In addition, neither the Corporation nor the said related parties have knowledge of any material information concerning the Corporation or its securities that has not been generally disclosed. ABOUT GEEKCO Geekco is positioned at the forefront of technological solutions that are evolving the new way of doing marketing while stimulating and energizing the economy of each city and each neighborhood by making consumers and shops interact like never before. Its Tell Me application allows users to discover businesses around them in real time using the interactive map, access exclusive rewards and even find a job. Shops thus increase their traffic and their visibility while recruiting their future employees. All this in the same app. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
‘Nothing we can do': Air-traffic staffing crisis hits Vancouver airport hard during Canada Day long weekend
Long waits, missed connections and widespread frustration disrupted the Canada Day long weekend at Vancouver International Airport, where more than 200 flights were delayed due to an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers at Nav Canada, the private company responsible for managing the country's airspace. 'Nav Canada let us know at about 1:30 p.m. on Saturday that this was about to happen at 3 p.m.,' said Stephen Smart, a spokesperson for YVR. The staffing shortfall at Nav Canada reduced the number of flights that could be handled in the area around YVR and cutting flight volumes to maintain safety. Between Saturday and Sunday, the airport experienced 219 flight delays and 23 cancellations. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. While flight operations at YVR were mostly back to normal by Monday, both the airport and airline officials say the weekend's disruptions exposed a chronic staffing problem that has worsened significantly since April, with no end in sight. 'It's been during peak travel periods that (YVR) has seen these staffing disruptions hit the hardest,' explained Smart. To help ease the delays, U.S. and Canadian customs agents agreed to extend their operations until 2 a.m. Sunday to process passengers. Food and beverage outlets stayed open late, and additional YVR staff were deployed to assist travellers. 'Anytime you are asking employees to stay longer or businesses to stay open later, there are lots of costs associated with that,' Smart said. 'It goes beyond hotel rooms for impacted passengers or crew that weren't able to make it back for their next flight.' The staffing shortage has more significant impacts on regional airports, said Smart, as they typically receive the lowest priority for available airspace. On Sunday, flights within B.C. accounted for 49 per cent of all delays at YVR, with a route to Calgary among the most affected. As summer travel ramps up, both the airport and airlines are speaking out about growing flight disruptions affecting passengers and flight crews across the province. Teara Fraser, CEO of Indigenous-owned Iskwew Air, says the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers is threatening the survival of her small, local carriers. 'It's not a new problem, but it's the worst I've ever seen it,' said Fraser, whose airline operates short flights between Vancouver International Airport and Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. 'Because of a lack of awareness about the situation, airlines often get blamed for everything that goes wrong. But there's nothing we can do.' Fraser said delays of 30 minutes to two hours are now a regular occurrence for her airline. The Canada Day long weekend was no different. 'Nav Canada has warned me to expect delays like these through this summer.' The CEO explained that since their pilots are bound by strict flight duty times, delays that exceed those limits require a new crew, creating further costs for both the company and its passengers. 'Because our flights are so short, the impact of these delays is substantial,' said Fraser. 'They've led to cancellations, which are stressful for passengers who are counting on a seamless connecting flight.' Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association International Canada, said the shortage of air traffic controllers is a systemic issue the union has raised concerns about in recent years. 'Unfortunately, we've been commenting about this issue long before COVID,' said Perry. 'Nav Canada laid off every single trainee during the pandemic, and now we're seeing the consequences.' Perry said there is little that can be done to alleviate the shortage this summer, and the operational fallout is affecting not only passengers but pilots as well. 'If there's a delay for a passenger, there's a delay for a pilot. Days get longer, and cancellations can start to cascade,' he said. While Nav Canada acknowledged the issue, it warned that training and recruitment take time. The company says it is actively hiring and has brought on over 450 new staff since September 2023, including 230 air traffic controllers, with more than 500 trainees currently in the system. The company apologized in a statement over the weekend for the delays and said safety remains the top priority. 'Staffing progress is being made across the Canadian system, and we're seeing encouraging signs in many areas,' the company said. 'However, the path to full qualification is extensive, typically requiring 24 to 36 months of classroom instruction, simulation and on-the-job training.' Larger airlines are also feeling the pressure. In a statement Friday, WestJet called the situation 'unacceptable,' citing the essential nature of air travel for Canadians. 'These air traffic control staffing challenges frequently become the primary reason for delays throughout the WestJet network … and are being felt by guests across the country, even if they do not fly through Vancouver or British Columbia,' the airline said in a statement. Since April, more than 300,000 WestJet passengers have experienced delays related to Nav Canada's staffing issues. The airline said these disruptions have added 'considerable costs to airlines as their operations need to recover' and caused big headaches for travellers. Because these delays are outside airlines' control, WestJet says passengers aren't eligible for payouts under Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations. WestJet said it supports long-term hiring and training efforts at Nav Canada, but warned that the staffing issue remains unresolved heading into peak season. Consumer advocates, however, say airlines aren't doing enough to be upfront with travellers about the scale of the problem. Gabor Lukacs, a Vancouver-based aviation and consumer rights lawyer, believes Canadian airlines are aware of the frequent shortages, but continue to sell tickets without properly warning passengers. 'If you know that things are going wrong, airlines cannot sell those tickets in good faith,' he said. 'It's like sticking your head in the sand.' He called it 'deceptive' and 'dishonest' for airlines to issue vague advisories while continuing to book flights, as if Nav Canada wasn't chronically short-staffed. Lukacs urged passengers to know their rights. If a flight is delayed more than three hours and the airline is responsible, he said travellers may be eligible for $400 or more in compensation. 'You can file a claim with the airline. If they say no, you can take it to the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal,' said Lukacs. 'There's no way to prevent this from happening as a passenger, but you can still hold airlines accountable.' sgrochowski@
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Adidas Canada set to release limited edition of Terry Fox's iconic runners to mark 45th anniversary of Marathon of Hope
It's a simple sneaker, really — two tones of navy blue dissected by three thick stripes of white. But no shoe is more iconic in Canadian culture than the Orion, popularized by Terry Fox during his 1980 marathon across the country, a heroic trek that raised tens of millions of dollars and inspired several generations of Canadians.
