Latest news with #YYC
Calgary Herald
5 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Frequent U.S. flyer calls Calgary Airport customs change 'idiotic'
John Rouette travels to the United States through the Calgary International Airport around twice a month. Since the airport instituted metering measures at U.S. customs, he says making his flights south of the border has become a guessing game. Article content In December, 2024 the Calgary International Airport announced a change to restrict access through U.S. customs to within two hours of one's takeoff time. The announcement post says that the measures 'aim to reduce wait times, streamline security and make the passenger experience smoother.' Article content Article content Article content 'This decision by YYC is idiotic. They are exactly exasperating the very problem they claim to be trying to resolve,' Rouette said. He said the airport 'is now creating a crush of people at the two-hour mark.' Article content Article content He says that while the two-hour time limit might make sense for domestic flights, having to go through both Canadian screening and U.S. customs clearance needs more time. So far Rouette hasn't quite missed a takeoff. He's been on flights where around a dozen people weren't so lucky. Article content 'The pilot kept coming on to say, 'Yeah, we're waiting for 16 people who are stuck in border control. They're waiting for 12 people, waiting for 11 people,'' Rouette said. After a while, 'They said 'we can't wait any longer. We have to deplane their bags.'' Article content That flight was with WestJet. He says the airline has been doing its best to be accommodating, frequently delaying take offs to allow passengers time to clear security. Article content Article content In a statement about the changes, WestJet said that they were made 'in response to a reduced passenger processing capability by United States Customs and Border Patrol during peak hours.' Article content U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said when asked for comment that it was the Calgary Airport Authority that instituted the change, and that they'd defer to the airport for information. The airport authority responded in a statement by saying that 'processing and screening through YYC are managed by our partners,' and that their focus was instead to support overall operations, provide clear wayfinding, and to mitigate impact to flight schedules, 'where possible.' Article content Rouette had been a frequent flyer long before the changes were implemented, and was confused when he first got turned away from security for the first time. He's always gone through three hours early, to have coffee and eat breakfast before his flight. 'I hate rushing at the airport, I just find it stressful. I don't want to be stressed out before I'm getting on a plane.'
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
YYC to provide M&A guidance services via tie-up with Japanese firm
KUALA LUMPUR: Nihon M&A Center Malaysia, the local arm of Japan's leading M&A advisory firm, has partnered with YYC, one of Malaysia's largest SME-focused accounting firms, through a MoU to help more business owners unlock value, pursue growth, and navigate succession with clarity and confidence. With this MoU, it makes M&A more accessible and actionable for Malaysian SMEs. YYC's SME clients will also have access to expert-led M&A seminars, personalised pre-deal consultations by Nihon M&A Center Malaysia's specialist team, and direct intro-ductions to Nihon M&A Center Malaysia's extensive list of buyers across Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. YYC Group CEO Datin Shin Yap said, 'Our focus is not just on helping clients survive, but showing them how to build something that is sustainable and ultimately saleable. We estimate that 5% to 10% of our 20,000 clients could be viable M&A targets over the next five years. With Nihon M&A Center Malaysia as our partner, we can offer our clients sound, strategic advice to help them move forward, whatever their next chapter may be.' Established in 1974, YYC has helped thousands of businesses grow, many of which are now publicly listed on Bursa Malaysia and have expanded globally. With this partnership, YYC strengthens its ability to support business continuity by adding M&A to its advisory services. Meanwhile, Nihon M&A Center Malaysia will leverage YYC's deep insight of Malaysia's diverse and dynamic SME landscape to reach a broader pipeline of businesses ready for change. 'YYC brings deep trust and local insight, and we have built a strong working relationship over the years,' said Nihon M&A Center regional head for Southeast Asia Yusuke Ojima. 'With the MoU, we are working towards a more focused, fruitful collaboration, one that gives SMEs access to the professional M&A guidance. This milestone collaboration also reinforces our commitment to helping SME businesses to scale, transition, and succeed with confidence.' With over 30 years of experience and 10,000 deals completed globally, Nihon M&A Center is Japan's largest independent M&A advisory firm. Nihon M&A Center Malaysia specialises in Japan-Malaysia trans-actions and is backed by a global team of over 700-plus professionals. With SMEs forming over 97% of all businesses in Malaysia and contributing significantly to job creation and GDP, their future is vital to the country's economic resilience and growth.
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
WestJet adds 6 new sun destinations to Calgary's winter travel schedule
WestJet passenger jets parked at departure gates at the Calgary International Airport on Wednesday, May 31, CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh WestJet has announced six new routes between Calgary and some popular vacation destinations this winter. Travellers are now able to book flights this December to Guadalajara, Mexico; Panama City, Panama; Tepic (Riviera Nayarit), Mexico; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Cozumel, Mexico. 'With these strategic additions, we're increasing our sun destination seat capacity from YYC Calgary International Airport by 15 per cent compared to last winter, reaffirming our commitment to being the top choice for sun-seeking guests,' said John Weatherill, the airline's executive vice-president and chief commercial officer in a news release. 'We're excited to offer Calgarians even more affordable travel options and unmatched choice this winter, and we can't wait to hear what travel stories take off from these new routes.' WestJet's service to Panama City is 'more than a new route' say officials. 'It is an opportunity for Panama to further connect with a high value market like Canada and continue positioning itself as a strategic hub in the region,' said Gloria De León Zubieta, Panama's minister of tourism. 'This connection supports our national goal of attracting more international visitors, and showcasing Panama as a destination that bridges continents, cultures, and opportunities.' WestJet's new winter 2025/2026 sun destinations from Calgary Route Peak weekly frequency Start date End date Calgary-Guadalajara 2x weekly December 7, 2025 April 12, 2026 Calgary-Panama City 4x weekly December 13, 2025 April 25, 2026 Calgary-Tepic (Riviera Nayarit) 1x weekly December 13, 2025 April 25, 2025 Calgary-Puerto Plata 1x weekly December 14, 2025 April 12, 2026 Calgary-Cozumel 1x weekly December 20, 2025 April 11, 2026 Calgary-Mexico City 4x weekly Year-round Year-round With the new connections taken into account, WestJet's Calgary network now includes 98 non-stop destinations. More domestic flights added In addition to the international destinations, WestJet has improved service to a number of routes within Western Canada. The changes consist of flights between Calgary and Prince George nine times a week (29 per cent increase), Calgary and Abbotsford 32 times a week (19 per cent increase), Calgary and Kelowna 66 times a week (27 per cent increase) and Calgary to Regina 45 times a week (10 per cent increase).
Calgary Herald
03-07-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
First Flip Stampede Breakfast takes over Stephen Ave
Calgarians lined up along Stephen Avenue for the most important meal of the day, right before the city's biggest event, with the First Flip Breakfast to kick off the 2025 Stampede season on Thursday. Article content CEO of Tourism Calgary, Alisha Reynolds, said the event is one that they are very proud of, which has grown significantly over the last 14 years from their little parking garage, to taking over a whole city street. Article content Article content Article content Although she's flipped around 100 pancakes, Reynolds estimates that they served up more than 10,000 pancakes over the morning. Article content The event also hosted several prominent figures from the province and city including Premier Danielle Smith, Mayor Jyoti Gondek, the new Minister of Emergency Management and community Resilience Elanor Olszewski, and members of Calgary city council. Article content 1/2: The First Flip is in the books for 2025! Hosted by YYC tourism and downtown organizations, the first pancake breakfast of the Stampede season was this morning on Stephen Avenue walk. #calgarycentre #yyc #cdnpoli #calgarystampede2025 — Greg McLean (@GregMcLeanYYC) July 3, 2025 Article content Article content Reynolds said their presence at the event, even flipping a few of their own flapjacks in front of a packed crowd, speaks to the way Stampede acts as a bridge that connects all orders of the government to regular people. Article content Article content 'Events like this bring people out to have a good time and to find the commonality in things, which is community, spirit, having fun, and really living with gratitude together in this place that we all love,' she said. Article content As a treat that brings people together, Reynolds said that Calgary Tourism loves being a champion in the community that showcases the first line of excitement and hospitality right before Stampede. Article content 'It's buzzing and we all feel so grateful,' she said. 'It's a beautiful 'Blue Sky' day. The epitome of what life in Calgary is like.' Article content With a record-breaking 1.47 million attendees at last year's event, Reynolds said there are strong indicators that this year's festivities will see a new record. She adds that there are projections showing a positive uptick from all around the world.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Adnaan Wasey named as Calgary's new film commissioner
Adnaan Wasey was appointed as Calgary's new film commissioner Thursday by Calgary Economic Development. Calgary Economic Development appointed Adnaan Wasey as its new film commissioner Thursday by Calgary, as the city seeks to solidify its status as a global production centre. Wasey was born in Toronto and lives in New York, where he has been the Executive Director of Rooftop Films since 2024. He has worked in film and media for over two decades, including stints at PBS, The New York Times and The Gotham. His background in ecosystem building fits Calgary's goal to attract more film and television productions to the city. Wasey launched the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, advised the MacArthur Foundation's Journalism and Media Program and has worked on numerous Emmy-and-Webby nominated projects over the years. 'Adnaan's leadership and industry connections will continue to elevate Calgary on the international stage, scale our creative economy and position the city as a powerhouse for content creation, production and storytelling,' said Brad Parry, President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development, in a media release. Meet Adnaan Wasey, Calgary's new Film Commissioner — a media innovator with credits and awards spanning PBS, Disney, The New York Times and The Gotham. His leadership will help scale and amplify Calgary's film industry. Read more ➤ #BlueSkyCity — Calgary Economic Dev (@calgaryeconomic) July 2, 2025 Wasey said he was excited to come to Calgary, which was recently ranked the fifth-best city in North America to live and work as a filmmaker by MovieMaker Magazine. 'Calgary is at a creative inflection point,' said Wasey. 'The city offers everything today's content creators and production houses need, with skilled local talent and crews, tools, landscapes, incentives, educational programs and an enviable quality of life. 'Beyond the practical, Calgary has something special,' he added, 'an entrepreneurial spirit and film-friendly approach that turns productions into partnerships. 'I see an opportunity to help scale Calgary's trajectory — building a sustainable, inclusive ecosystem that makes Calgary synonymous with creative excellence." Wasey starts Aug. 1 but will be in town for the Calgary Stampede to begin engaging with the community.
