FLEET - Flair Airlines (Canada) is still on track to reach its goal of a 30 planes by 2027, with 10 more B737-800s to be delivered between now and the

The eventual fleet target is 30-40 planes, down from previous guidance of 50.

Photo: Duncan Stewart

 

Lessor seizes four Flair Airlines B737 MAX

A commercial dispute with lessor Airborne Capital saw the attachment of four of Flair Airlines' B737 MAX at the weekend, the airline confirmed to local media.

A statement from the airline called the move by "a New York-based hedge fund" to take the aircraft "extreme and unusual." Calgary Sun newspaper reported the aircraft were seized in Toronto Pearson, Edmonton International, and Kitchener.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, Flair leases six B737-8s from Airborne Capital. The ultra-low-cost carrier has a leased fleet of 19 of the type, as well as three B737-800s. ADS-B data shows that C-FLKA (msn 64943) was attached in Edmonton and C-FLKC (msn 61807) was attached in Toronto on March 11, but both are back in service, while C-FLKD (msn 61806) is still parked at Kitchener since March 10, as is C-FLKI (msn 64944) which has been parked at Edmonton since March 10.

CH Aviation / Photo: Duncan Stewart

 

Flair to open Edmonton base, launch four US routes

The fast-growing Canadian ULCC will begin its first US services from Edmonton in December. 

By David Casey / Routesonline

Canada’s Flair Airlines is opening a new base at Edmonton International (YEG) and starting four new transborder US routes as the ULCC continues to expand its footprint.

Seasonal service will be offered this winter to Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Las Vegas (LAS), Palm Springs (PSP) and Phoenix Mesa (AZA), beginning on Dec. 16. There will be three flights per week to LAS and two per week on the other US routes.

President and CEO Stephen Jones announced in early July that the carrier intended to fly to the four US destinations—alongside Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Orlando-Sanford (SFB)—but did not give schedule details or frequencies.

Flair is also expanding its domestic network from Edmonton. In addition to existing winter service to Abbotsford (YXX), Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF), Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR), the carrier is increasing its current summer service from Kelowna (YLW) and Victoria (YYJ) to extend throughout the winter season.

“Basing aircraft and crew in Edmonton demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to our region,” YEG president and CEO Tom Ruth said. “In addition, these new US destinations will be popular nonstop routes as we rebuild our network.”

Flair will base one Boeing 737-8 aircraft in Edmonton starting in December. Between direct and indirect employment, Flair estimates 50 new jobs will be created in addition to the 75 operations and business staff already headquartered in the city.

The expansion from Edmonton comes after the airline launched service from Abbotsford, British Columbia to six domestic destinations. Daily service is being offered from YXX to Calgary (YYC), Edmonton, Montreal (YUL), Ottawa (YOW), Toronto and Winnipeg (YWG).

Brian Worthington

Flair Airlines receives 1st B737-8

Canadian carrier Flair Airlines has taken delivery of its first B737-8. The aircraft, registered C-FLEJ (64941), arrived at Calgary from Seattle-Boeing Field (WA) on 26 May and will shortly start its commercial flights.

In total the airline is set to receive thirteen B737-8s which are being leased from its investor 777 Partners.

Photo by Flair Airlines.

FLAIR AIR - B737-400, C-FLEJ

João Luis Pessoa - St Maarten