DIRECT FLIGHTS TO VICTORIA AND EDMONTON
A new ultra-low cost airline is expanding service to Kamloops.
NewLeaf Travel Company announced the Kamloops Airport as one of 12 Canadian airports where flights operated by Flair Airlines will be offered.
Flights will operate from Kamloops twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with one flight to Edmonton and another to Victoria each day, according to airport manager Fred Legace.
“I think we’re always happy to supply more services,” Legace said. “I think it’s good for folks here to be able to get to a number of locations across the country.”
There were no direct flights from Kamloops to Victoria, nor to Edmonton since WestJet discontinued that route on March 5.
“The whole business arrangement with an ultra-low cost carrier is high quantity in return for a low fare. There are 156 seats on these aircraft and they need to fill them,” Legace said. “Admittedly a lot of seats will be through flights between Edmonton and Victoria so that’s not going to be a huge strain on the Kamloops market. Still, we need to see aircraft that are going out of here full and with the fare levels they are going to offer at, I think there’s a market for that.”
Flights booked through NewLeaf, the Winnipeg-based reseller, will cost as low as $79. Kelowna-based Flair Airlines will operate the flights with Boeing 737-400 planes. Flights can be booked online at gonewleaf.ca starting July 25, with the first Kamloops flights beginning July 30.
“We are excited to resume operations as people plan their summer vacations,” said Jim Young, president and CEO of NewLeaf Travel Company, in a press release. “We know Canadians have been waiting for this service and are delighted to increase their travel options by offering more flights to more destinations, with fares as low as $79.”
The Kamloops Airport also received $2.6 million from the provincial B.C. Air Access Program for upgrades to the apron, the area where aircraft park to load, unload and refuel. The airport will be responsible for the remaining costs of the estimated $3.2 million upgrades, for which construction will start in August.
Help us bring you more local news
SPIN has been able to serve Sun Peaks as its sole news source for over 20 years thanks to the overwhelming support of our community. Join over 126 of your neighbours and become a monthly or yearly member so that we can continue to regularly publish the digital newsletters and stories our readers rely on.
