Join Simon Calder’s complimentary travel newsletter for professional tips and cost-saving deals.
Receive the Travel email from Simon Calder.
A budget airline based in Canada will be ceasing operations this weekend due to increased expenses, unfavorable currency exchange rates, and competition.
Lynx Air, located in Calgary, informed travelers: “Starting at 12:01 am Mountain Time on Monday, February 26th, Lynx Air’s flight services will come to an end.” Any future reservations after that time will be invalidated and passengers are advised to seek refunds from their credit card providers.
In April 2022, the budget airline Lynx Air was launched, replacing the previously established Enerjet airline from 2006. The company utilized Boeing 737 Max planes to operate scheduled flights to various locations within Canada, the US, and Mexico.
The airline expressed in its final statement that they are sorrowfully ending their flights. They also hope that their goal to inspire more Canadians to fly will continue to have an impact on their passengers, even in their absence.
“Significant effort was invested in developing and expanding Lynx Air in the last two years, providing Canadians with an affordable and hassle-free travel experience.”
“Unfortunately, our organization has been unable to overcome the increasing financial challenges caused by inflation, fuel prices, exchange rates, capital expenses, regulatory fees, and competition in the Canadian market.”
Competition in the Canadian airline industry is fierce, as it consists of two major carriers: Air Canada, which has been around for a long time, and WestJet, which was established in Calgary three decades ago.
The investors in Lynx Air consisted of Indigo Partners, a private equity firm with investments in Wizz Air, Frontier Airlines in the US, and Volaris in Mexico.
Lynx Air expressed its goal to run a majority of its flights during the weekend in order to facilitate the return of as many travelers as possible.
The Independent’s investigation into flights departing from Calgary’s main hub revealed that flights to and from Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Victoria BC were cancelled on Friday.
For passengers traveling from Monday and beyond, they have the option to switch to earlier flights if there are seats available. If not, the airline states, “You can reach out to your credit card company for a refund on your flight.”
Lynx Air travel vouchers are no longer valuable.
Pablo Rodriguez, Canada’s Minister of Transportation, shared a message on X (previously known as Twitter) expressing his concern for the Canadian travelers and employees impacted by this news. He also mentioned their families and the communities throughout Canada who will be affected by this situation.
“For those who have booked a return flight with Lynx, I anticipate that the company will assist you in returning home promptly. In the event that your fare is not honored, I anticipate that Lynx will provide a full refund.”
I have been in contact with Lynx from my office and we will keep in touch with everyone involved. We have also arranged calls with other airlines to discuss ways they can assist in prioritizing the well-being of passengers.
The statement from Lynx Air regarding its shutdown stated that their passengers played a significant role in the company’s goal and motivation to establish the airline. Providing affordable fares to encourage more Canadians to travel and create cherished memories with family and friends in their favorite locations was a great honor.
“I am grateful for your support throughout our journey, and I share in your disappointment. Our passengers’ loyalty to our ultra-low-cost carrier model is greatly appreciated. We understand that this news may come as a surprise to many, and we are committed to making the process of winding down our operations as smooth as possible. It has been an honor to serve you.”
To stay updated on the latest travel information and tips from Simon, listen to his Independent Travel podcast available for download every day.
Source: independent.co.uk
