Discount airline NewLeaf set for first flight Monday out of Hamilton
After a turbulent start, the discount airline is finally getting off the ground
After a rocky and uncertain start, discount airline NewLeaf has its first flights on Monday, July 25, and one of them will be departing from Hamilton. The other inaugural flights depart from Winnipeg and Kelowna.
Furthermore, NewLeaf's first sold-out flight also leaves from Hamilton on July 29. That plane is heading to Moncton.
"We are thrilled that NewLeaf's first 'sold out' flight is from Hamilton," said Lauren Yaksich, director of marketing and communications at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.
The airport believes there is a market for low cost carriers in Canada, and that it is strategically positioned to facilitate it. The fact that the first flight to sell out leaves from Hamilton, it says, is strong evidence of this.
The Greater Moncton International Airport shares that enthusiasm. It says it's excited to see the community embracing the low-cost air travel option.
"We know this is what Canadians want; we listened and delivered," said NewLeaf CEO Jim Young. "And the result is sold-out planes."
NewLeaf held an official launch in January, including a splashy event in Hamilton. But shortly after, the company encountered problems.
The airline was delayed as the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) conducted a review of the licensing requirements of so-called indirect air service carriers like NewLeaf.
As a result of the delay, NewLeaf refunded all tickets sold and suspended operations until it could sort out the regulatory turbulence. The CTA eventually gave the carrier the all clear in March.
Earlier this month, some consultants also told CBC News they're owed thousands in fees.
"I am concerned that passengers will lose money," said Gabor Lukacs, the airline consumer advocate.
Flights booked through NewLeaf are operated by Flair Airlines, a licensed Canadian company with pilots flying Boeing 737-400 passenger jets.