Flair Airlines (F8, Kelowna) will close its crew base at Kitchener Waterloo this autumn as a proactive step to strengthen its business in the face of ongoing macroeconomic pressures, according to Eric Tanner, VP commercial operations.
In addition, the company is introducing a strategic shift to its business model, aiming to expand into new charter operations.
Canadian broadcaster CTV News quoted Tanner as saying: “To build long-term resilience, we are expanding into new charter operations that bring stable, guaranteed revenue. This strategic shift requires us to reallocate aircraft and reduce our scheduled passenger service after the summer peak.”
Flair Airlines will reportedly continue operating scheduled flights from Kitchener, but the crew base will close on September 3.
“The closure of YKF's crew base is not tied to any layoffs. Our inflight and maintenance teams will still have roles within Flair. Our maintenance base will remain vital and operational in YKF,” said Tanner.
ch-aviation data shows Flair Airlines currently flies from Kitchener to Abbotsford, Calgary, Edmonton International, Halifax, and Vancouver International. It is the airport’s leading operator holding 79.3% of the capacity (WestJet holds the remaining 20.6%). It also served international destinations, Orlando International, Cancún, and Puerto Vallarta, but these routes have been scrapped, CTV reported.
The Canadian carrier, which last year was seeking new investors willing to take on a “slightly higher-risk investment,” operates a fleet of eighteen B737-8s and two B737-800s. It has additional bases at Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto Pearson, and Vancouver.
ch-aviation reached out to Flair Airlines for comment but it was not immediately available.
