Canadian low-cost carrier Flair Airlines has marked its first full year of scheduled operations with considerable growth.
Over the course of the year, the airline added 114 more flights per week, doubled its fleet from five to 10 aircraft, carried almost a million passengers, flew coast-to-coast from 10 Canadian cities over the summer and added six US destinations to its winter schedule.
“The past year has been one of steady growth for us,” said Flair Airlines president and chief executive officer, Jim Scott. “We more than doubled the number of flights per week we fly, ensuring travellers have access to affordable air travel to our 13 destinations across North America.”
To accommodate its transition from charter to scheduled carrier, Flair moved its headquarters to Edmonton. The partnership with Edmonton International Airport and relocation to Alberta’s capital it said ensures the airline has the tools to support the company’s ambitious growth strategy.
Flair Airlines it launched transborder operations in November, with its Edmonton to Las Vegas service. The addition of new destinations and routes continued in December with Palm Springs, Phoenix-Mesa, Orlando, Miami and St. Pete-Clearwater joining the airline’s route map.
“When we started the year, we were a domestic airline focused on giving Canadians a long-waited affordable travel option,” said Scott. “Our growth into an international carrier has been met with tremendous support. Canadians can now travel to US sun destinations with their loved ones, something they might not have been able to afford a year ago.”
In December, Flair Airlines welcomed its future: the Boeing 737-800NG. The aircraft will carry more passengers, lower fuel costs and fly longer distances.
“The 737-800NG is Flair’s flight path to the future,” said Scott. “Lower fuel costs ensure we can keep our fares down and the longer range means we can fly more passengers non-stop to more distant destinations.”
The airline expects to add more flights, destinations, routes and aircraft to its roster throughout 2019, and plans to increase its employee base to support the growth.
