Lynx Air, a new low-cost Canadian airline, will take off next year, joining a growing group of carriers vying for more budget-conscious travelers as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lynx’s take-off was announced Tuesday at an event at Calgary International Airport, its headquarters.
Formerly known as Enerjet – a charter company that announced in 2018 its intention to transform into a low-cost commercial carrier – Lynx has experienced players in the aviation industry in its ranks.
It was notably founded by a group of investors led by Tim Morgan, a former senior executive at WestJet Airlines.
In addition, Lynx will be led by Merren McArthur, who previously served as CEO for Tigerair Australia, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines and Virgin Australia Cargo.
Basic reduced rates
The CEO said on Tuesday that Lynx will operate under the ultra low cost carrier model, meaning passengers will be offered lower base fares and may pay additional fees for services, such as l baggage check-in and cancellations.
“Airfares have always been high here in Canada, and at Lynx, we believe that many Canadians cannot afford to travel, or cannot afford to travel as much as they want,” said McArthur. “Lynx’s mission is to make air travel accessible to everyone. “
The super low-cost model proved popular in Europe and the United States, but until recently it had not been replicated in Canada. However, that is about to change.
Edmonton-based Flair Airlines has already announced a major expansion of its own fleet and range of flights this year, while WestJet also offers its own low-cost service, Swoop.
Operation of the Boeing 737
Lynx – which has yet to announce any flights or schedules – plans to operate a fleet of Boeing’s newest 737 aircraft.
The airline has firm orders and leases in place for a total of 46 aircraft over the next seven years to meet expected demand, McArthur said. The company is expected to receive its first three Boeing 737s in early 2022.
McArthur said the new carrier would hire a maximum of 450 people, most of them in Calgary, to support its launch.
She added that although the airline planned to start offering flights to domestic destinations, it intended to expand and then offer transborder and international services.