Flair Airlines has expressed its support for the Competition Bureau’s recent announcement to initiate an official market study on competition within Canada’s domestic air passenger services. The airline is optimistic that this investigation will shed light on the challenging landscape faced by low-fare airlines in the country. Key areas of focus will include the current state of competition, obstacles to market entry and expansion, and the difficulties Canadians encounter when making informed travel decisions. Flair Airlines hopes this study will pave the way for a more competitive and accessible aviation market in Canada.

“Competitors have employed various tactics to stifle low-cost competition, and the government’s response has been disappointing. They aim to dominate smaller airlines by sheer force, with the ultimate goal of eliminating competition and raising airfares unchecked, reverting to an aviation duopoly.”

Flair Airlines has long championed the cause of a fair and competitive aviation industry. CEO Stephen Wilk underscores the critical need for airport slot allocations at major Canadian hubs—Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Calgary International Airport (YYC), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)—to be overseen by an impartial third party. Wilk argues that entrusting slot management to the airports themselves could lead to biased decisions influenced by their specific agendas. This change, he asserts, is essential for fostering a truly equitable and competitive environment in Canada’s aviation sector.

“Our concerns lie not only with an unfair competition playing field for other airlines but also with the exorbitant cost of the aviation ecosystem in Canada,” Maciej Wilk, Interim CEO and President of Flair Airlines commented on the Bureau’s study. “Airport fees, navigation charges, and security fees are significantly higher than global norms, disproportionately benefiting full-service, high-fare airlines, like Air Canada and WestJet.”

Wilk further highlights the necessity of involving industry stakeholders in discussions about NAV Canada and airport pricing lists, with oversight and approval by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). He points out that this practice is standard in Europe. Flair Airlines remains dedicated to maintaining low airfares, striving to make affordable air travel accessible to more Canadians.

“Canadians suffer from a lack of competition, but Flair is determined to fight for the consumer,” said Eric Tanner, Flair’s VP of Revenue Management and Network Planning.

“Flair has lowered market airfares by an average of 34% and saved Canadians over $700 million. Despite being the underdog, we continue to prevail, as evidenced by our competitors’ attempts to match our low fares. However, for the Canadian consumer to truly benefit in the long term, the federal government must actively support a level playing
field.”

Flair Airlines is calling on the Competition Bureau to thoroughly examine crucial issues in its market study to promote a competitive landscape that provides Canadians with fair and affordable travel options. The airline stresses that addressing these concerns is vital for fostering a more equitable and accessible aviation industry in Canada.

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