Article from BTNews 1 AUGUST 2016
NewLeaf takes a bow
Canada’s latest airline, NewLeaf, took to the skies for the first time last Monday when it launched trans-continental flights from Hamilton and Kelowna to Winnipeg.
CEA Dean Dacko described it as “an absolutely thrilling moment”, adding: “We’ve known for 25 years that Canadians have been under-serviced in their desire to fly coast-to-coast.”
CEO Jim Young said the company was now celebrating “a few successes after months of challenges”. He added: “Today we’ve made history. There is now an ultra-low-cost air travel option for Canadians.”
NewLeaf said it sold out two flights in its opening week with more than 16,000 tickets bought, which Young said had exceeded the airline’s targets.
The airline has no direct competition on the 1,510km (940mi) route between Hamilton and Winnipeg, but is up against the incumbent, WestJet, on the 1,577km (980mi) flight between Kelowna and Winnipeg. Flights on both routes are on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.
NewLeaf currently uses a 737-400 from Flair Air, based in Kelowna, for the services and was busy last week preparing to open a further 11 routes on a twice-weekly schedule.
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