Outgoing Flair Airlines CEO Stephen Jones has a message for Canadian air travelers: the country needs viable low-cost carriers. However, he warns that competing with the dominant players, Air Canada and WestJet, is a tough game under the current rules.
Jones, who is retiring at the end of the month, spoke candidly about the challenges faced by Flair and the airline industry in Canada during a visit to CBC’s Vancouver newsroom. He emphasized the need for disruption in the industry to provide Canadians with more affordable travel options.
Flair Airlines, based in Edmonton, prides itself on offering unbeatable fares every day and operates 20 aircraft serving 36 destinations with 450 flights a week. With the recent closure of Lynx Air, Flair remains the only ultra-low-cost carrier operating within Canada.
The Competition Bureau of Canada has raised concerns about the difficulties faced by low-cost carriers in the country compared to other nations. Jones highlighted the need for changes in regulations to allow smaller airlines to compete effectively and push larger carriers to lower their prices.
One of the issues Jones pointed out is what he considers predatory pricing by bigger airlines, citing the example of WestJet’s discount airline, Swoop. He claimed that Swoop was created not to foster competition but to quell it, leading to challenges for Flair in certain markets.
Jones called for faster investigations into predatory behavior by airlines to ensure a level playing field for all carriers. He emphasized the impact of user-pay fees on low-cost carriers, making it difficult for them to offer competitive fares.
Despite concerns about Flair’s financial health, Jones expressed confidence in the airline’s future, assuring passengers that the company is in good shape. He acknowledged the challenges of the airline industry but remained optimistic about Flair’s ability to provide affordable travel options for Canadians.