Flair Airlines (Edmonton, AB): Flair, Canada’s only independent low-fare airline, today announced it has signed a Letter of Intent to bring its first Boeing 737-800NG into the fleet - the aircraft is expected to begin flying January 2019. The move marks the beginning of Flair’s transition from its current fleet of seven B737-400’s to the larger 800NG series.

In addition to this aircraft, the winter schedule calls for two leased B737-800NG’s that will enter service in December. “Our growth plans have always included the move to more fuel-efficient longer range airplanes,” stated David Tait, Flair’s Executive Chairman. “These aircraft will enable us to continue to offer ultra low fares by reducing our costs, while extending our network and offering greater frequency of service.”

Flair recently announced seasonal low fare service out of Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto (YYZ), to Palm Springs, Miami, Phoenix/Mesa, Las Vegas, Orlando and St. Pete/Clearwater: The three B737-800’s will primarily operate on Flair’s new southbound routes.

Tait added, “Flair will have replaced the majority of its current fleet with B737-800NG’s by the end of 2019, by which time we expect to be operating 11 aircraft.”

Cities from which Flair operates benefit with dramatically lower airfares as a direct consequence of the carrier’s market presence: Airports also report an increase in first-time air travelers.