NewLeaf's 1st flight departs Hamilton for Winnipeg

About 150 passengers boarded a Boeing 737-400 at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport on Monday, headed for Winnipeg in the inaugural flight from the new low-cost air travel company — NewLeaf.

The airport was decorated with blue and yellow balloons and cupcakes decorated with the three-letter codes for the Winnipeg-based company's destinations.

"We said we were going to bring low fares to Canadians, and lo and behold we have," said NewLeaf chief commercial officer Dean Dacko.

Dacko said millions of Canadians travel past Hamilton every year in search of cheaper flights in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, N.Y.

He said the company is set to succeed where others — seeing those same market possibilities — have failed.

"In reality, the proof will be in the pudding," Dacko said.

He said he plans to get several of the company's eastern flights off the ground this week.

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.

Dacko said the company aims to sell flights for discounts of between 25 per cent and 40 per cent.

The discount attracted Lisa Airhart, who took Monday's flight to Winnipeg.

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. 

'Mother Nature wanted to be part of our excitement'

As a result of the delay, NewLeaf refunded all tickets sold and suspended operations until it could sort out the regulatory turbulence. 

"What we decided to do was to take a pause, to put the interests of our customers first," Dacko said. "We took a pause at a difficult, a financially expensive decision, but we ultimately took it to ensure that our customers' interests were protected."

The CTA eventually gave the carrier the all clear in March.

Flights booked through NewLeaf are operated by Flair Airlines, a licensed Canadian company with pilots flying Boeing 737-400 passenger jets.

Dramatic thunderstorms put the company on edge Monday morning, but the skies were clearing by 10 a.m. ET, the scheduled departure time.

"Mother Nature, she wanted to be part of our excitement this morning," Dacko said.

'We put our customer's interest first'

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, an airline consumer advocate. 

Dacko responded to those criticisms on Monday. 

"Other people on the sidelines, looking in, and you know, making comments about how they're protected, I can tell you, 100 per cent assurance, we put our customer's interest first," he said. 

'I was hesitant'

Rosalie Vissers flew the Hamilton-to-Winnipeg flight on Monday, and was happy to see such a discounted option for flying to Winnipeg.

She took a selfie with her cupcake before the flight took off, then promised to send CBC News an update when she landed.

She said she had a great experience. 

"The flight was smooth and comfortable," she said. "I was hesitant to fly with such a new upstart airline but now I'll fly with them again."

kelly.bennett@cbc.ca | @kellyrbennett