368 — Sunday, September 27, 1998 — North Shore News

north shore news

Signature inks link
with Royal Aviation

Andrew McCredie
Editor andrew@nsnews.com

CAPTAIN David Guenette received
the final clearance from the Calgary
tower and steered the widebody
Airbus 310 onto the runway for
takeoff.

Seconds later we were hurtling down the
asphalt strip, the co-captain, or “left seat,”
knocking off the speed as the engines whined
in their battle with mass and gravity.

“One-sixty, one-seventy, one-cighty, one-
ninety...,” the left sear counted.

Then, in that logic-defying
act played out thousands of
times a day, the fuel and pas-
senger laden aircraft fifted
from’ the Alberta landscape
into the beautiful warm prairie
evening, the setting sun outlining the Rocky
Mountains to the West, nighttime creeping
across the ever-expanding horizon to the East.

Less than cight hours later Captain
Guenette, of Vancouver, would bring the

_ Airbus over Northern Scotland, through the
billowing white cloud cover and onto the con-
crete, deck of Glasgow Airport. Even: from the
cockpit, ‘strapped in a.seat behind the two

pilots;-it. was the smoothest landing I'd ever

experienced. -- ; :
Officials at. Royal Aviation and Signature
are hoping that 2 new 10-year deal
they:have entered into with one another gocs
just ‘as smoothly. °°
: turbulent world of the travel business is
getting bumpier and bumpier for many carriers
and! booking companies, but-Signature presi-
dent: John. MacNeill sees his company’s part-
nershij ith: Royal as a ‘strong alliance for
V times. .

ROYAL 4.2

“What we want is ta work with an airline
with a strong reputation and an awareness in
the public’s mind,” MacNeill said recently. “At
the end of the day vacationers want t
that they are flying with a safe, prok
reputable airline.”

MacNeill added that litrle things like free
headphones and a wide range of complimenta-
ry wine and dinner liquers are typical of the
added benefit Royal can offer customers who
book their travel with Signature Vacations.
Also, the twa companies have agreed to an
advanced scat selection serv where for an
extra $20 you can reserve a specific seat before
you get to the airport.

Vancouver travellers had their

Od N, first opportunity to test out

the new alliance carlier this
month with the launch of
Vancouver to the U.K. ser-
Vice, including flights to
Glasgow, Stansted and Manchester.

And next month the allisnce will direct its
attention south, with Signature offering vaca-
tions to Hawaii, called the Royal Signature
Service to Hawaii, and Mexico, including “nwo
resort” packages where travellers can stay at
two different horcls closely situated to one
another. For example, you can stay at a
Signature resort in Cozumel for a few nights
then move to a hotel in Cancun or on the
increasingly popular Mayan Riviera. Also,
Signature’s Mayan Mystery Tour has been
expanded and improved for the 1998-99 sea-
son,

“Our 10 year alliance with Royal Airlines
will enable us to provide the most competitive
prices in the marketplace,” said Signature
Western Operations vice-president . Mel
Crothers.

If so, it could be smooth sailing, and land-
ings, for both companies.

Where doe you turn
with a complaint
against the press?

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