Flair Airlines
Flair Airlines is a Canadian low-cost airline headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta,[6] with its main hub at the Edmonton International Airport. The company operates scheduled domestic passenger services and charters in Canada, USA, and internationally.
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 A Boeing 737-800 in the new 2019 livery | |||||||
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| Founded | 2005 | ||||||
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| AOC # | Canada: 14941[2] United States: F8RF148F[3] | ||||||
| Hubs | Edmonton International Airport | ||||||
| Secondary hubs | Vancouver International Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 3[4] | ||||||
| Destinations | 11[5] | ||||||
| Headquarters | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | ||||||
| Key people | Stephen Jones, president/CEO | ||||||
| Employees | 300+ | ||||||
| Website | https://flyflair.com/ | ||||||
Flair Airlines has licences to operate domestic and international large aircraft charters and operates a fleet of three Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The company slogan is Plane and Simple.
History
The airline is privately owned and started operations on August 19, 2005 as Flair Air. 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. 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 began providing workforce transportation services to several natural resources and major construction companies across Canada.
2009–2019
Flair 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 June 2017 Flair announced it had purchased the assets of Manitoba-based discount travel company NewLeaf - Flair had been the operator of NewLeaf's flights, as it was not licensed as an airline. Flair retained 85% of former NewLeaf staff in the acquisition.
In late 2017, Flair Air became Flair Airlines, unveiled a new livery, acquired additional aircraft and announced plans to add more in 2018 and 2019.
In 2018, Flair moved its headquarters from Kelowna International Airport to Edmonton International Airport[7] and 777 partners invested in Flair with the goal of building a Canadian low fare carrier.
2019–present
In February 2019, Flair went through a "top to bottom" makeover changing its signature colours from purple and red to acid green and black. This reflects the airline's new "plane and simple" branding. The brand makeover included a new livery that will adorn all future aircraft slated to be delivered beginning in March 2019. A new flight attendant uniform was also rolled out in September 2019.
In February 2020, Flair offered unlimited travel in the form of a one-time fee 90-day pass valid between February 13 and May 13, 2020.[8]
Charters
Workforce transportation
Between 2007 and 2010 Flair was the exclusive supplier of large aircraft lift to Shell Canada's project at Albian Sands 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 (aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance or ACMI) charters which provide customers with a 'turn-key' aircraft package.
Passenger charters
Flair Airlines provides 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 previously operated flights on behalf of other Canadian airlines, such as Air Transat.
Destinations
Flair was the operator of flights for Manitoba-based discount travel company and virtual airline NewLeaf from that companies founding in 2016.[9] In June 2017 Flair announced it had purchased the assets of NewLeaf and intended to expand destinations.[10]
The NewLeaf brand was retired on July 25, 2017 and flights are now operated under the main Flair brand.[11][12]
Flair Airlines operates flights to the following Canadian destinations as of May 2020.[5]
Fleet
Current fleet
As of February 2021, Flair Airlines has the following aircraft registered with Transport Canada:[4]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-800 | 3 | 1 | 189 | One registered in April 2019 and two in August 2019.[4] |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | — | 13 | 189 | Deliveries from early 2021.[13] |
| Total | 3 | 14 | ||
In addition the Transport Canada website lists a Boeing 737 Classic but with a cancelled certificate.[14]
Former fleet
Previously, Flair Airlines has flown Boeing 727-200, Boeing 737-400, Embraer ERJ 170, Dornier 328 and Cessna 340 aircraft.[15]
References
- Airline and Airport Code Search
- Transport Canada (2019-08-31), Civil Aviation Services (CAS) AOC. wwwapps.tc.gc.ca.
- "Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View". av-info.faa.gov. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Flair Airlines". Transport Canada. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- Schedule
- "Buy Flair Airlines Flights".
- Bartko, Karen. "Flair Airlines moving headquarters from Kelowna to Edmonton". Global News.
- "Flair Airlines introduces 90-day pass for unlimited spring flights". calgary.ctvnews.ca. February 5, 2020.
- Aumell, Christian (June 7, 2017). "Flair Airlines buys NewLeaf Travel to become one company". Global News. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- "Flair Airlines purchases assets of no-frills flight service NewLeaf". CTV News Winnipeg. The Canadian Press. June 7, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- "Airline turning over a 'NewLeaf' on anniversary". CTV News Winnipeg. July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- McNeil, Shane (July 25, 2017). "NewLeaf begins 'new chapter' with name change". BNN. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- "777 Partners to Lease 13 Boeing 737 MAX 8 Aircraft to Flair Airlines". Monitordaily. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details - C-FLEN
- Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: History Search Result
