Travel News Today

For the first time since Sept. 11, 2001, Canadians are lining up to fly instead of driving to their summer fun destinations and are filling planes to the highest levels in years.

But air travel's resurgence has created at least one casualty: the dirt cheap, last-minute travel deal. As fears of air travel in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks continue to fade and Canadians look for alternatives to paying more than $1 a litre for gas, airlines are suddenly finding more seats occupied.

So don't expect to plan your summer getaway this late in the game and hope to find a bargain. Chances are there won't be many.

«It's going to be tough to get some good deals,» said Joe DeMarinis, vice-president of sales at Redtag.ca, a popular travel website.

He said people who are flexible with their time and date of travel should still be able to scrounge up some deals, but for the most part, travellers will be forced to fork over higher prices to get on board.

Judging by how full Canadian planes were in June -- which isn't nearly as popular for travel as July and August -- it's easy to see why seat sales are at a premium. For example, Air Canada had nearly 84-per-cent occupancy in June, compared to just 79.4 per cent two years earlier. The situation is similar at WestJet, where occupancy has been steadily rising in the last few years, jumping to 77 per cent in June, from 71.5 per cent in 2003.

The numbers show what Canada's tourism officials already know --there is an increasing demand for air travel among Canadians, particularly given punishing gas prices.

«There was some pent-up demand,» said Randy Williams, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. «(Sept. 11) created some angst about flying as well, which has dissipated. I think there's some pent-up demand to fly.»

Canadian airlines are reaping the benefit from the fact many are shunning their cars in favour of air travel, he said.

«What we're hearing are pretty good things actually. We're seeing that the aircraft are pretty full,» Mr. Williams said. «I think Canadians, from what we're seeing, are not hesitant to jump on airlines. They're using air travel quite a bit.»

Despite the high Canadian dollar, many hotels report being full and attendance at events such as the Calgary Stampede is high, Mr. Williams said. The situation is particularly bright in British Columbia, although Ontario and Quebec are also benefiting from a marked tourism boost.

«They seem to be quite happy with the results so far,» he said.

It's a welcome change from the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks, which ruined some airlines and virtually halted business for many travel companies. For instance, Mr. DeMarinis said business basically disappeared after Sept. 11, 2001, and that «everything just crumbled.» Five years later, things are finally getting back to normal.

«Travellers are becoming comfortable right now,» he said. «People have decided to start travelling again. They can't be cooped up and not travel.»

He said much of the travel Canadians are booking is within the country -- good news for the many communities that rely on tourism to keep the economy chugging along.

(Ottawa Citizen)