Flair Airlines has announced its departure from Ottawa, following a previous exit from Montreal, as it faces financial difficulties and high customer complaints. The airline, known for its budget flights, plans to focus its operations in Western Canada due to insufficient demand and high airport fees. With the highest complaint rate among Canadian airlines, customers have reported multiple issues, prompting a shift in the ultra-low-cost carrier landscape in Quebec, where competitors like Porter and French Bee are emerging.
Flair Airlines Bid Farewell to Ottawa
Following its recent exit from Montreal, Flair Airlines has now announced its departure from Ottawa. This ultra-low-cost carrier has been notorious for its high volume of customer complaints over the past 18 months and is now confronting significant financial challenges, compelling it to concentrate its operations in Western Canada.
John Gradek, an aviation transport expert, predicts that Flair’s troubles are far from over, suggesting that its financial situation is likely to deteriorate further. For the last three years, the Edmonton-based airline has provided budget-friendly flights to various destinations in Quebec. However, Flair recently declared that its final flight to Montreal-Trudeau would take place on April 23, marking a temporary halt in service.
The airline attributed its decision to high airport improvement fees and a lack of demand in Montreal, stating that it would reallocate its aircraft “where Canadians need them most.” Similar factors are believed to have influenced its recent departure from Ottawa, as demand failed to meet operational costs.
Customer Complaints and Future Prospects
Flair Airlines has gained a reputation as the airline with the highest customer complaints in Canada. According to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), the carrier averaged 15.8 complaints per 100 flights from July 2023 to September 2024.
To put this in perspective, here’s a breakdown of complaints per 100 flights among Canadian airlines during the same period:
- 15.8 – Flair Airlines
- 11.5 – Sunwing
- 5.5 – WestJet
- 5.2 – Air Canada
- 3.4 – Air Transat
- 2.9 – Air Liaison
- 1.4 – Porter Airlines
For travelers like Carl Chapdelaine from Trois-Rivières, avoiding Flair for Sunday flights is advisable, especially when needing to return to work on Monday. Despite his flexible schedule due to a work accident, he has endured multiple delays and cancellations with Flair.
Marie-Ève Chabot’s experience illustrates the frustrations many customers face. After her Toronto to Quebec flight was canceled, she was offered minimal compensation, forcing her family to spend an extra night in Toronto due to the airline’s refusal to cover hotel costs, citing weather as the reason for the cancellation.
As Flair Airlines exits the Quebec market, it marks a significant turning point for ultra-low-cost carriers in the region. Following the abrupt collapse of Lynx Air, the landscape is changing. Established airlines like Porter are actively competing with Flair by offering discounted fares on overlapping routes and rapidly expanding their flight offerings.
Looking ahead, French Bee is set to become the next ultra-low-cost player in Quebec, planning to launch five weekly flights between Montreal and Paris starting in July, with ticket prices beginning at $430.