Cheap flights: Flair Airlines reduces the number of domestic flights

Flair Airlines, which specializes in low-cost domestic flights, adjusted its flight schedule in Canada this spring, reducing the number of domestic flights to focus on expansion to sunnier destinations.

The Edmonton-based budget airline will operate about 600 fewer flights in March, April and May 2024 than last year, according to data provided to Global News by aviation analytics company Sirius.

In a statement to Global News, CEO Stephen Jones noted that the spring flight schedule for August 2023 reflects a strategy focused on the wants and needs of Canadian travelers. This includes an increase in flight capacity to warmer destinations such as Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean, with more than 20 new routes to winter destinations.

This change in direction marks a significant evolution for Flair Airlines compared to 2023, which was mainly focused on domestic flights, Mr. Jones added.

According to Eric Tanner, the company's vice-president, the company already serves more long-haul and medium-haul flights in Canada to reduce costs associated with airports.

The airline's new direction comes amid difficult financial conditions as it faces an unpaid tax debt of about $67.2 million to the federal government. However, the company's CEO denied any link between the reduction in flights and financial difficulties.