Merger between Canada's Flair and Lynx Air likely

Canadian media outlets are reporting that Flair Airlines (F8, Kelowna) and Lynx Air (Y9, Calgary) will soon announce merger plans, possibly by the end of this week. The ongoing merger talks, first reported by The Airline Observer, are said to be in the advanced stages. However, the precise timing and structure of the merger are yet to be settled.

Flair Airlines is 25% owned by 777 Partners, while Lynx Air counts Indigo Partners among its shareholders. Both airlines compete in the ultra-low-cost carrier market with scheduled flights operating across Canada and into the United States. According to ch-aviation fleets data, Flair Airlines operates 20 aircraft, including two B737-800s and eighteen B737-8s, while Indigo Partners-backed Lynx Air operates nine B737-8s. ch-aviation has contacted both airlines for comments on the merger reports.

Any merger would continue a trend of consolidation across the Canadian low-cost airline market. Last year, WestJet (WS, Calgary) finalised its acquisition of Sunwing Airlines (WG, Toronto Pearson), and intends to integrate it into the mainline business. WestJet has also recently discontinued its its own LCC brand, Swoop (Hamilton, ON).

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Photos: Duncan Stewart - LAX