EDMONTON — Flair Airlines is ramping up its fleet with the addition of 13 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Last week, on Jan. 20, Transport Canada lifted the ban on the MAX series, giving airlines the green light to deploy the aircraft in Canadian airspace following nearly two years of intense review.

According to Flair, the new aircraft, which are being leased from 777 Partners, will allow the airline to grow its network across Canada with increased options for low-fare service to a greater number of destinations. Flair is currently seeing interest from airports looking to partner in providing ULCC service to their communities.

“Canadians have been paying too much for too long; we must do our part to ensure affordable air travel is available to all Canadians across Canada is travel and tourism are to return this year,” said Stephen Jones, President & CEO of Flair Airlines.

On how the new planes will help keep costs low for the airline, Jones added: “Our efficient new aircraft will provide us the foundation to execute our ULCC business model. These planes will enable us to keep fares low while expanding our service to meet travel demand.”

The MAX aircraft will allow Flair to achieve the lowest cost per seat mile of any Canadian airline and also deliver fuel savings and cut CO2 emissions by 14%. Lower per passenger emissions are a “vital step” in lowering Flair’s carbon footprint as it works to become Canada’s most sustainable airline.

All new MAX aircraft will be configured to seat 189 passengers and fly 3,550 nautical miles (6,570 km). Flair will lease the initial 13 aircraft from 777 Partners, which recently entered into an agreement with Boeing for 24 new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, along with options to purchase an additional 60.

Flair’s new management team led by Jones and new Chief Commercial Officer Garth Lund, both formerly with Wizz Air, will begin accepting delivery of the new aircraft in early 2021. With this order, Flair is on track to achieve is ‘F50’ goal of growing to 50 planes within five years.

“The days of limited choices and frustration with high fares from legacy carriers are gone,” added Jones. “Flair and ultra low-cost travel is here to stay. No longer will Canadians pay a premium to explore their own country.”