TORONTO — Delta Air Lines, KLM, Air France and Alitalia celebrated their second annual Agency Elite award show in Toronto last night.
The event has become a yearly affair for the joint venture to thank their trade partners in Canada.
“I calculated it and the people in this room represent 60% of our revenue and 70% of our passengers [in Canada]”, said Robert LeBel, Managing Director, Canada & Speciality Sales. “If it wasn’t for you, we truly wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.”
Award recipients were:
- Airline Ticket Centre Ltd.
- LoyaltyOne (AirMiles)
- Amex GBT
- BCD Travel
- Carlson Wagonlit Travel
- Flight Centre Travel Group
- HRG North America
- Huntington Travel
- Intair Transit (TravelBrands)
- Le Groupe Voyages Vision 2000 Inc.
- Maritime Travel
- Merit Travel Group Inc.
- Royal Scenic Holidays
- Sky Bird Travel and Tours of Canada Inc.
- Skylink Travel
- Skylink Voyages Inc.
- Tour East Holidays
- Tian Bao Travel Ltd (Compass Holidays)
- Voyages a la Carte
Steven Larkin, Delta’s Director – Sales, Canada hosts the 19 recipients of the joint venture’s Elite Agency awards.
LeBell highlighted two notable events this year for the airline group: a Bombardier event at the start of 2017, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gracing the cover of inflight magazine Sky.
“Getting Canada on the front cover of the magazine is hard enough, let alone a Prime Minister,” added LeBel before thanking Steven Larkin, Delta’s Director – Sales, Canada and the rest of the Canadian team for making it possible.
The group was also excited to welcome a closer relationship with WestJet, following the recent announcement of its expanded frequent flyer program with KLM, Air France and Delta Air Lines.
LeBell said that due to the combination of Canada’a improving dollar, a good GDP and job creation, they are feeling “bullish” about 2018.
