Hamilton, ON, August 28, 2024 – PLAY, a low-cost airline operating flights between Iceland and Europe, is excited to announce the introduction of a new flight route connecting Hamilton, Ontario, with Faro, Portugal via Iceland. Tickets for this new route are now available, with the inaugural flight scheduled for April 12, 2025. The route will feature two weekly flights, operating every Saturday and Wednesday until October 29, 2025.
PLAY has added Faro to its schedule, with the first flight scheduled for April 12 and the final flight departing on October 29.
“Canadians can now experience the warmth and beauty of Portugal’s stunning southern coast, with its captivating beaches, rich history, and lively culture, with our affordable flights to Faro,” said Einar Örn Ólafsson, CEO, PLAY. “We’re delighted to add Faro to our network, furthering our mission to make travel to Europe accessible and affordable. This new route reflects our commitment to connecting North America through Iceland, providing our passengers with exceptional service and unforgettable experiences.
As a transatlantic carrier between Europe and North America, PLAY operates from its hub at Keflavik Airport in Iceland, perfectly positioned between the two continents. PLAY offers passengers the option to prolong their layover into a multi-day stopover for no additional cost for up to 10 days for those who want to visit Iceland before continuing their trip across the Atlantic. In Iceland, visitors have the chance to experience natural wonders such as waterfalls, glaciers, geysers and extraordinary wildlife just a few hours from Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, which is rich with culture, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.
Canadian travellers flying from Hamilton International Airport can look forward to affordable roundtrip fares to Faro via Iceland starting at $650 CAD. Travel for this new route will be facilitated through Faro International Airport in Portugal, offering an exciting opportunity for travellers to experience the charm of Portugal while enjoying a memorable stopover in Iceland.
“We are excited to see PLAY expand its network with the addition of Faro, Portugal,” said Cole Horncastle, Executive Managing Director, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. “This new service, combined with the opportunity to explore Iceland, provides Southern Ontario travellers with more options and flexibility. PLAY’s commitment to enhancing travel choices aligns with our goal of offering diverse and convenient connections for our passengers.”
PLAY offers a streamlined, no-frills service without costly features such as magazines, Wi-Fi, and entertainment, allowing travellers to pay less and “play more.” Rather than spending on travel extras, PLAY passengers can instead allocate their budget to the meaningful experiences, dining, or even excursions that make a trip memorable.
Since its first flight in June 2021, PLAY has expanded its fleet from three Airbus A320neo aircraft to today operating 10 Airbus A320/321neo aircraft. The average age of PLAY’s aircraft is just over 2 years, making the passengers’ journey comfortable, safe and reliable. With a network of nearly 40 destinations and over a million passengers flown since its launch, PLAY has a solid track record of an impressive 85.5 per cent on-time performance in 2024.
For more information and to book your tickets, visit flyplay.com.
PLAY is a low-cost airline operating flights between Iceland and Europe, and North America as of 2024. Founded in Reykjavík in 2019 by a management team with significant experience in the aviation industry, the company operates flights on new Airbus A321NEO and A320NEO aircraft, offering streamlined, no-frills service that allows travellers to pay less and “play more.” Safety comes first for PLAY. On-time performance, simplicity, happiness and low prices are the airline’s core principles. The airline seeks to enable passengers to see the world, but not without considering its environmental impact. PLAY is being developed with sustainability initiatives and benchmarks in place to track and reduce fuel consumption, offset carbon emissions, and limit waste. Learn more or book a flight at flyplay.com or follow them on Instagram and Facebook at @PLAYairlines. For media resources, visit PLAY’s online newsroom, flyplay.com/news.
About John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport
John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is a growing international gateway for affordable travel and the largest overnight express freight airport in Canada. The Airport is owned by the City of Hamilton and managed under an agreement by TradePort International Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vantage Airport Group – an industry leading investor, developer and manager of airport assets. This allows Hamilton International to incorporate best-in-class practices from around the world into its operations. As an efficient facilitator of cargo and passenger operations, Hamilton International is an economic engine and responsible community partner. Its strategic location and uncongested 24/7 operations make it an attractive option for both passenger and cargo carriers looking to serve the Southern Ontario market. Learn more at flyhamilton.ca or follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @FlyYHM. For media resources, visit Hamilton International Airport’s online newsroom, flyhamilton.ca/news.
PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – RCMP say the body of a second person has been found inside their vehicle after a road washed away amid pouring rain on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Police say two vehicles went into the Sarita River when Bamfield Road washed out on Saturday as an atmospheric river hammered southern B.C.
The body of the other driver was found Sunday.
More coming.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
The B.C. Greens say Sonia Furstenau will be staying on as party leader, despite losing her seat in the legislature in Saturday’s provincial election.
The party says in a statement that its two newly elected MLAs, Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, support Furstenau’s leadership as they “navigate the prospect of having the balance of power in the legislature.”
Neither the NDP led by Premier David Eby nor the B.C. Conservatives led by John Rustad secured a majority in the election, with two recounts set to take place from Oct. 26 to 28.
Eby says in a news conference that while the election outcome is uncertain, it’s “very likely” that the NDP would need the support of others to pass legislation.
He says he reached out to Furstenau on election night to congratulate her on the Greens’ showing.
But he says the Green party has told the NDP they are “not ready yet” for a conversation about a minority government deal.
The Conservatives went from taking less than two per cent of the vote in 2020 to being elected or leading in 45 ridings, two short of a majority and only one behind the NDP.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio is making a difference, 4,175 kilometres away from home.
The 32-year-old Canadian international midfielder, whose parents hail from Colombia, has been working with the Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization, a charity whose goal is to help disadvantaged youth in the South American country.
Osorio has worked behind the scenes, with no fanfare.
Until now, with his benevolence resulting in becoming Toronto FC’s nominee for the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, which honours an MLS player “who showed outstanding dedication to charitable efforts and serving the community” during the 2024 season.”
Other nominees include Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
The winner will be announced in late November.
The Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization (CCCO) is run entirely by volunteers like Monica Figueredo and Claudia Soler. Founded in 1991, it received charitable status in 2005.
The charity currently has four projects on the go: two in Medellin and one each in Armenia and Barranquilla.
They include a school, a home for young girls whose parents are addicted to drugs, after-school and weekend programs for children in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, and nutrition and education help for underprivileged youth.
The organization heard about Osorio and was put in contact with him via an intermediary, which led to a lunch meeting. Osorio did his due diligence and soon got back to the charity with his decision.
“It was something that I wanted to be a part of right away,” said Osorio, whose lone regret is that he didn’t get involved sooner.
“I’m fortunate now that to help more now that I could have back then,” he added. “The timing actually worked out for everybody. For the last three years I have donated to their cause and we’ve built a couple of (football) fields in different cities over there in the schools.”
His father visited one of the sites in Armenia close to his hometown.
“He said it was amazing, the kids, how grateful they are to be able to play on any pitch, really,” said Osorio. “But to be playing on a new pitch, they’re just so grateful and so humble.
“It really makes it worth it being part of this organization.”
The collaboration has also made Osorio take stock.
“We’re very fortunate here in Canada, I think, for the most part. Kids get to go to school and have a roof over their head and things like that. In Colombia, it’s not really the same case. My father and his family grew up in tough conditions, so giving back is like giving back to my father.”
Osorio’s help has been a godsend to the charity.
“We were so surprised with how willing he was,” said Soler.
The TFC skipper has helped pay for a football field in Armenia as well as an ambitious sports complex under construction in Barranquilla.
“It’s been great for them,” Figueredo said of the pitch in Armenia. “Because when they go to school, now they have a proper place to train.”
Osorio has also sent videos encouraging the kids to stay active — as well as shipping soccer balls and signed jerseys their way.
“They know more about Jonathan than the other players in Colombia,” Figueredo said. “That’s the funny part. Even though he’s far away, they’ve connected with him.”
“They feel that they have a future, that they can do more,” she added. “Seeing that was really, really great.”
The kids also followed Osorio through the 2022 World Cup and this summer’s Copa America.
Back home, Osorio has also attended the charity’s annual golf tournament, helping raise funds.
A Toronto native, he has long donated four tickets for every TFC home game to the Hospital for Sick Children.
Vancouver’s Berhalter was nominated for his involvement in the Whitecaps’ partnership with B.C. Children’s Hospital while Montreal’s Sirois was chosen for his work with the Montreal Impact Foundation.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
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