Flair establishes base in Calgary, will add flights to London (ON), Vegas, Phoenix & P.V.

Flair Airlines on Tuesday (May 2) announced the establishment of a new base at Calgary International Airport (YYC). 

This year, the ultra-low fare carrier will add four new destinations departing from Calgary: London, ON (YXU) launching in July; Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS), Phoenix, Arizona (PHX), and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR), each launching this fall.

By July 2023, Flair's Calgary base will feature three aircraft, a maintenance facility and hangar, and create nearly 150 jobs for pilots, flight attendants and ground staff, according to a press release on Tuesday (May 2). 

The airline says it also has plans for continued expansion.

Flair's seat growth from Calgary is also up 46 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022, with 15 routes on sale. 

"Our relationship with Calgary International Airport will continue to provide benefits to Albertans who have been paying far too much for air travel. We know our presence in Calgary results in lower fares, more options for Canadian travellers, and strong economic activity in the region. We're proud of our growing crew in Calgary and grateful to the community for supporting us as we establish our Calgary base," said Stephen Jones, president and CEO of Flair Airlines.

The news marks a positive step forward for Flair, which had four of its airplanes seized in March after the carrier fell behind on its lease payments.

Flair has since filed a lawsuit to the tune of $50 million dollars against New-York based hedge fund and aircraft lessor Airborne Capital Inc., and other affiliated corporations, claiming the company "secretly" found a better deal for its Boeing 737 Maxes with a third party and then "set Flair up" for default, amounting to an illegal termination of leases.

None of the allegations have been proven in court. 

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