Canada Jetlines expected to launch next summer

HAMILTON — A new ultralow-cost airline that will fly out of Hamilton and Waterloo Region when it launches next summer will serve markets in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Canada Jetlines, which will also be based out of the Region of Waterloo International Airport, is expected to begin flight operations June 1, 2018, CEO Stan Gadek said Monday.

To start, Jetlines will only fly from Hamilton and Breslau to Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Halifax so the company can demonstrate it’s operating in accordance with federal transportation procedures.

Two months later, service is expected to be added to Las Vegas, Orlando and St. John’s.

By November 2018, planes will also be heading to Cancun, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Tampa.

It’s expected the markets served from Hamilton and Waterloo Region might differ slightly, Gadek said.

From John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, passengers will be able to travel to 12 destinations, he added.

“There’ll be quite a substantial presence in Hamilton.”

While the schedule isn’t finalized, it’s expected there will be daily flights out of Hamilton but not to every market, he said.

Hamilton airport president and CEO Vijay Bathija commended Monday’s announcement.

“The airport is pleased that Jetlines has chosen Hamilton as its eastern focus city providing further low-cost travel options for Hamilton and the region,” he said in a news release.

Gadek said he hopes to begin selling tickets 90 days in advance of flights taking off, which would be March 1, 2018.

He wouldn’t specify exact fares, but said it will be comparable to a pair of “affordable jeans.”

The way the ultra low-cost model works is the fare will be low but customers will be charged for additional services, such as baggage and beverages.

Canada Jetlines will charge for checked baggage and items brought into the cabin to be stored overhead, he said.

This will help keep the cabin “uncluttered” to help with efficiency in loading and getting people off the aircraft, he added.

The airline will sell its first 1,000 tickets for a $10 base fare, Gadek said.

Jetlines will also offer a “fare club” giving members first crack at promotions for “super-low” fares, he said.

While the ultra-low-cost model is new to Canada, there have been two other operations; NewLeaf Travel Company and Flair Airlines.

Kelowna-based Flair Airlines announced it had purchased NewLeaf in June.

The Consumers’ Association of Canada issued a consumer alert over issues with NewLeaf and Flair last winter because of arbitrary cancellations and alterations to flight dates and times.