Lynx Air launches low-cost flights across Canada

A new Calgary-based, low-cost airline opened on Thursday.

Lynx Air has joined the competition against Air Canada’s Rouge, Sunwing, Flair, and Westjet’s Swoop in the growing budget airline market.

Lynx is offering flights to nine destinations across Canada, including Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Halifax, and Winnipeg.

The low-cost carrier’s inaugural flight from Calgary took off and landed in Vancouver Thursday morning.

#YYC–#YVR IS LIVE! ???? Canada’s new ultra-affordable airline is in the air!

????Everyday low base fares make travel easy for all
???? Experience the future of air travel in the latest generation Boeing 737
???? Easy online booking (plus promo codes for Lynx Insiders) pic.twitter.com/cxw9i66hZj

— Lynx Air (@Lynx_Air) April 7, 2022

Chief executive Merren McArthur says Lynx, formerly known as Enerjet, aims to operate nearly 90 flights a week by June and close to 180 trips by August, all within Canada.

Several affordable airlines have been gearing up to compete with each other, and industry giants such as Air Canada—particularly for domestic flights and sun destinations.

McArthur, who took the controls at Lynx last summer, is unphased by her competitors.

“The competition is growing and the demand is growing as well. I think there is a lot of pent-up demand as Canada is opening up, and we’re seeing that in the bookings,” said McArthur.

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Flair Airlines only had one aircraft a year ago, but expects to have 20 Boeing 737s in its fleet by the end of June as the Edmonton-based airline adds routes from Victoria, B.C., to St. John’s, N.L.

Meanwhile, WestJet subsidiary Swoop continues to expand, unveiling nine new routes out of Edmonton in November.

–With files from the Canadian Press