Canada Jetlines has chosen Vancouver as its base as it enters the rapidly maturing ultra low cost carrier market. The company, which has substantial investor backing, has secured two A320 aircraft to start its service, which it hopes to launch sometime in 2019. So far, Canada Jetlines has announced it will be operating from St. Hubert Airport in Montreal and Jean LeSage Airport in Quebec City. Canada Jetlines had originally planned to serve B.C.’s Lower Mainland from Abbotsford but said it got a better overall deal at YVR.
Meanwhile, the existing budget airlines Swoop and Flair Airlines are expanding routes and solidifying services.Swoop, the low cost arm of WestJet, announced non-stop service between Kelowna and Winnipeg for as low as $79 one way. Kelowna-based Flair is upgrading from Boeing 737-400 airliners to 737-800s and introducing new branding and livery similar to low-cost carriers in Europe. It now has seven aircraft and has added new routes to sun spots.