It started out as the airline providing planes, crews and air service for Canada’s new low-cost air company NewLeaf Travel.
Now Kelowna’s Flair Airlines Ltd. has bought New Leaf, establishing itself as Canada’s third national airline, providing service coast to coast.
NewLeaf has been selling ultra-low airfares in Canada since the summer of 2016. As a ticket re-seller, NewLeaf used Flair Airlines to provide all of the flight operation services.
“This acquisition will build on the strengths of both companies and now we are truly committed to providing the lowest possible fares as Canada’s newest national airline,” said Flair president and CEO Jim Rogers.
He added the airline will work closely with its partners, employees and customers to make the integration process as smooth as possible.
The purchase of NewLeaf’s assets establishes Flair’s new position as a low-fare national airline in Canada, said the company in a news release issued Wednesday morning.
The combination of NewLeaf’s marketing, selling and distribution engine and Flair’s aviation expertise will continue to provide Canadians with the most affordable air travel options available, it said.
The airline also said expansion is planned for new destinations starting this year and its new fall and winter 2017 domestic schedule will be released shortly. No disruption of service are expected and the current schedule will continue as planned, said the company. To book tickets, customers will continue to visit gonewleaf.ca or call 1 204 888 2665.
As part of the NewLeaf program, Flair Airlines carried more than 250,000 passengers from coast to coast in the last year, completing more than 2,200 flights.
Flair Airlines Ltd., started in 2005, is headquartered in Kelowna and has operations Calgary and Hamilton.