MEET THE ELITE

Delta, Air France, KLM recognize top 15 agencies, 3 TMCs

RODNEY TUGWELL

Delta Air Lines in partnership with joint venture airlines – Air France, KLM, and Alitalia – presented the 4th edition Agency Elite Awards at a VIP reception in Toronto.

The event gathered high-level management and executives from 15 of Canada’s top performing Travel Agencies and 3 major travel management companies. The top 18 organizations were recognized with an award, and an address from esteemed representatives of each airline.

Steven Larkin, director of sales Canada, Delta Airlines commented that sustainability is important in the airline industry and the event incorporated sustainable touches: beautiful flowers arrangements grown from a local Ontario florist, the caters used only locally sourced materials, and also this year a tree will be planted on Manitoulin Island for each one of the guests present at the event.

All about quality

Rob LeBel, managing director specialty and Canada Sales, Delta Airlines, added that this year four anchor tenant accounts have won four years in a row and congratulated the first time winners. The winners accounted for over $300 million in global sales revenues and the quality of the revenue increased the average fare by 5% which equates to approximately $25 to $30 per ticket.

Hugely important for Delta Airlines and its partners is shifting revenue from main cabin coach into premium economy up to business and first class, increasing the overall profitability of the Canada enterprise for all the respective carriers.

LaBel added that the Delta/WestJet transborder joint entire partnership should be fully approved in the first quarter of 2020 and from a managed agency perspective this venture will account for 30% of the transborder market. This will double the collective marketshare and footprint, with a combined market share near 30%. He added they have the best leadership industry team in Canada.

Enhancing the experience

Roland Coppens, commercial director Air France/KLM, addressed the audience, adding that in 2020 there will be added capacity from Toronto and Montreal, especially on the Air France side with double daily Toronto-Paris, and a fourth frequency in peak from Montreal – Paris. The core product will be retrofitted with better cabins that will gradually come in as of June 2020. KLM has all full flat beds in business class.

MEET THE ELITE

The 18 Agency Elite Awards’ recipients, listed in alphabetical order, include:

• Airline Ticket Centre
• Air Miles Reward Program
• American Express
• BCD Travel
• Carlson Wagonlit Travel
• Compass Holidays
• CTS Fare Canada
• Direct Travel/Les Services Direct Travel
• Flight Centre Travel Group Canada
• Global Business Travel
• Huntington Travel
• Maritime Travel
• Merit Travel Group
• RSH Travel Inc.
• Skylink Travel/Skylink Voyages Inc.
• Tour East Holidays – CETH
• TravelBrands
• Voyages a la Carte