Flair Airlines

Flair Airlines
IATA ICAO Callsign
F8[1] FLE FLAIR
Founded 2005
Hubs Edmonton International Airport
Frequent-flyer program Aeroplan (Starts July 2020)
Fleet size 7[2]
Destinations 16 (as of September 2018)
Company slogan Canada's Low Fare Airline
Headquarters Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Key people Jim Scott, president,[3] David Tait, Executive Chairman
Employees 250+
Website http://www.flairair.ca

Flair Airlines is an airline based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It operates scheduled passenger services in Canada, as well as chartered passenger and cargo services in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean region, and to destinations worldwide from its main base at Edmonton International Airport. It serves a variety of customers including airlines, tour wholesalers, sports teams, convention organizers, government agencies and corporate travel planners, and clients requiring contract and cargo movement services.

It operates scheduled passenger service as a low-cost carrier to secondary airports in or near major Canadian cities. Its main base for these flights is Edmonton International Airport.

The airline has recently begun promoting itself as Canada's first "Ultra Low-Cost Carrier" (ULCC) as it plans an expansion in 2018.[4]

Flair also provides its aircraft to third party operators under aircraft lease (ACMI) charter agreements.[5]

History

Former logo, 2005-2017

The airline is privately owned and started operations on August 19, 2005. In January 2006 Transport Canada authorized the airline to operate scheduled all-cargo services between Cuba and Canada, on behalf of Cubana, until April 7, 2006.[5] It also operates some passenger flights on behalf of Cubana.

2005-2006

Flair Air operated two Boeing 727-200 aircraft, one for passenger movements and the other for freight services.

2007-2008

Flair Air began providing workforce transportation services to several natural resources and major construction companies across Canada and continues to provide these services on a regular basis.

2009-present

Flair Air began adding Boeing 737-400s to its fleet in 2008 and 2010 to replace the 727-200s. In 2013, Flair added another 737-400 to its fleet, bringing the total fleet to five. In early 2014, Flair added an Embraer 175 and a Dornier 328 to its fleet as part of its agreement with Shell Energy Canada Ltd..

Flair announced it had purchased the assets of Manitoba-based discount travel company and virtual airline NewLeaf in June 2017.[6] Flair had been the operator of NewLeaf's flights, as NewLeaf was not licensed as an airline, and announced that it had retained 85% of former NewLeaf staff in the acquisition.[7]

In 2017, Air Transat and Flair Air were accused by a CBC News story of misleading customers, regulators, and Mexicans by marketing and selling nonstop tickets between Edmonton and Cancun. CBC uncovered a letter in which the airlines admitted that they would frequently divert for a technical stop to refuel. [8]

In late 2017, Flair Air became Flair Airlines and unveiled a new livery, acquired additional aircraft and announced plans to add more in 2018 and 2019.[9]

In August 2018, Flair's Executive Chairman David Tait announced record summer passenger load factors in excess of 90%. Tait also stated that Flair would be acquiring "up to 20 newer, more fuel efficient and longer-range aircraft by the end of 2020." Tait went on to confirm that the first of the new aircraft will be delivered in 2019 as their current fleet of Boeing 737-400 aircraft begin to be "rapidly phased out."[10][11]

Charters

Workforce transportation

Between 2007 and 2010 Flair was the exclusive supplier of large aircraft lift to Shell's Albian Sands project where, at its, peak, the airline was moving over 10,000 construction workers per month from 14 points across Canada into Shell's project site, north of Fort McMurray, Alberta.

On October 7, 2013, Flair Airlines announced that it had entered into a ten-year agreement with Shell Energy Canada Ltd. to provide exclusive air charter transportation services within Canada. Flair will provide logistics planning, passenger reservations, and third-party charter aircraft procurement, all of which will be accomplished by a new workforce transportation services company called North Sands Air Services Ltd.

Around the world tours

In September 2010, Flair Air was approached by an Ontario-based tour company to operate a world tour program. The program included travelling to 14 countries worldwide. Flair reconfigured one of its Boeing 737-400's from 158 Y class seats to 76 business class seats. Flair Air obtained international permits, over-flight permissions, and ground arrangements to operate in each of the 14 countries.

In 2011, Flair Airlines operated another world tour to 14 new destinations.

In October 2013, Flair Air operated a South American tour to 10 destinations.

Government charters

Flair Airlines has provided ongoing personnel movement for the Department of National Defence and other departments of the Canadian federal government.

ACMI charters

Flair also offers aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) charters which provide customers with a 'turn-key' aircraft package.

Passenger charters

Flair Airlines provides both single (ad hoc) and ongoing (series) charter flights. Flair operates a fleet of Boeing 737-400 aircraft capable of transporting up to 156 passengers worldwide. Flair operates flights on behalf of other Canadian airlines, including Air Transat.

Scheduled passenger flights

Flair was the operator of flights for Manitoba-based discount travel company and virtual airline NewLeaf from NewLeaf's founding in 2016.[7] In June 2017 Flair announced it had purchased the assets of NewLeaf and intended to expand destinations.[6]

The NewLeaf brand was retired on July 25, 2017 and flights are now operated under the main Flair brand.[12][13]

Destinations

Flair Airlines operates flights to the following destinations as of June 2018.[14]

Country City Airport Notes
CanadaAbbotsfordAbbotsford International Airport
CanadaCalgaryCalgary International Airport
CanadaEdmontonEdmonton International AirportHub
CanadaHalifaxHalifax Stanfield International Airport
CanadaHamiltonJohn C. Munro Hamilton International AirportEnds October 27, 2018
CanadaKelownaKelowna International Airport
CanadaTorontoToronto Pearson International Airport
CanadaVancouverVancouver International Airport
CanadaVictoriaVictoria International Airport
CanadaWinnipegWinnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
United StatesLas VegasMcCarran International AirportBegins November 8, 2018
United StatesMiamiMiami International AirportBegins December 15, 2018
United StatesOrlandoOrlando International AirportBegins December 15, 2018
United StatesPalm SpringsPalm Springs International AirportBegins December 15, 2018
United StatesPhoenix–MesaPhoenix–Mesa Gateway AirportBegins December 15, 2018
United StatesSt. Pete–ClearwaterSt. Pete–Clearwater International AirportBegins December 15, 2018

Fleet

Current Fleet

A Flair Airlines Boeing 737-400

As of December 2017, the Flair Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:[2][3][14][15]

Flair Airlines Fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
Boeing 737-400 7 — To be rapidly phased out and replaced in 2019.[16]
Boeing 737-800 — 11[17] Deliveries to begin December 2018. Replacing 737-400.[18][19]
Total 7 11

Fleet development

On Monday, September 11, 2017, Flair Airlines announced that as a part of their expansion, they would be acquiring additional aircraft in 2018 and 2019. Flair plans to have a fleet of 12 aircraft by Spring 2019.[20] It was later announced that two 737-800 aircraft would be acquired in 2018, followed by four more planes in 2019.[3] In August 2018, Flair's Executive Chairman David Tait announced that up to 20 new aircraft would be acquired from 2018 to the end of 2020, and that their current 737-400 fleet would begin to be rapidly phased out in 2019.[21] In October of 2018, Flair announced that their new aircraft would be the Boeing 737-800NG.[22]

References

  1. ↑ Airline and Airport Code Search
  2. 1 2 "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Flair Airlines". Transport Canada. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  3. 1 2 3 Founder of Canada Jetlines takes helm as CEO of rival Flair Airlines
  4. ↑ Low-cost carrier#Ultra Low-Cost Carrier
  5. 1 2 "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-03. p. 82.
  6. 1 2 "Flair Airlines purchases assets of no-frills flight service NewLeaf". CTV News Winnipeg. The Canadian Press. June 7, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Aumell, Christian (June 7, 2017). "Flair Airlines buys NewLeaf Travel to become one company". Global News. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  8. ↑ Nicol, John; Saltzman, Aaron (May 31, 2017). "The 'Mexican game': How Air Transat misled passengers and aviation officials". CBC News.
  9. ↑ http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/flair-airlines-set-to-paint-the-skies-in-new-colours-665300403.html
  10. ↑ https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/08/28/1557908/0/en/Flair-Airlines-Reports-Record-Breaking-Summer.html
  11. ↑ "Flair Claims Record Summer". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  12. ↑ "Airline turning over a 'NewLeaf' on anniversary". CTV News Winnipeg. July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  13. ↑ McNeil, Shane (July 25, 2017). "NewLeaf begins 'new chapter' with name change". BNN. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  14. 1 2 "Canada's Flair Airlines to develop Edmonton hub". ch-aviation. September 13, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Global Airline Guide 2017 (Part One)". Airliner World (October 2017): 8. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  16. ↑ "Flair Claims Record Summer". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  17. ↑ "Next Generation of Boeing Planes joins Flair Airlines fleet". Edmonton Journal. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  18. ↑ "Next Generation of Boeing Planes joins Flair Airlines fleet". Edmonton Journal. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  19. ↑ "Flair Claims Record Summer". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  20. ↑ http://flyeia.com/news/flair-airlines-announces-expansion
  21. ↑ "Flair Claims Record Summer". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  22. ↑ "Next Generation of Boeing Planes joins Flair Airlines fleet". Edmonton Journal. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
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