Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Air Canada signed a preliminary agreement Thursday to acquire all of Montreal-based leisure travel company Transat, the Canadian flag carrier announced. Air Canada said it controls all the needed funding to complete the transaction, valued at some $520 million&nbsp;or&nbsp;$13 per share of the parent company of rival airline Air Transat.

 


“A combination with Transat represents a great opportunity for stakeholders of both companies,” said Air Canada president and CEO Calin Rovinescu. “This includes the shareholders of both Transat and Air Canada, employees of both companies, who will benefit from increased job security and growth prospects, and Canadian travelers, who will benefit from the merged company's enhanced ability to participate as a leader in the highly competitive leisure travel market globally.”

 


Rovinescu added that the acquisition of Air Transat would allow Air Canada to further develop its hub at Montreal Trudeau International Airport, where the flag carrier has added 35 new routes since 2012.

 


The transaction remains subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals and other customary closing conditions. Air Canada said it would make no further announcements related to the acquisition plan until signing the final agreements unless required by law. Air&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;has retained Morgan Stanley as its financial advisor.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Air Canada in Talks To Acquire Parent of Rival Air Transat

The Canadian flag carrier’s acquisition of Transat would consolidate its foothold at Montreal Trudeau Airport.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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