WATCH: Ultra low-cost airline has big plans out of Kelowna

• This is about as cheap as it gets for tickets
• New airline has plans for expansion
• Says Canadians have been priced out of domestic air travel

There’s a new name on the arrivals boards at Kelowna International Airport that aims to grab a share of the highly competitive low-cost market, especially given the bounce back in the post-pandemic leisure sector.

Offering ultra-affordable fares across several destinations, some for as low as $39 one-way for a limited introductory period, Lynx Air held a formal celebration for their new Calgary to Kelowna route Monday morning. The company actually launched three weeks ago.

“We think Kelowna is a really important destination for us; it’s an all-year destination with lots of things for everyone to do,” Lynx Air CEO, Merren McArthur, told Kelowna10.

The airline has a modest number of new Boeing 737-Max 8 planes but plans to expand that to 46 aircraft in the coming years. It now offers flights to 10 destinations: Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Hamilton, Halifax, and St. John’s.

Currently it offers flights from Kelowna to both Vancouver and Calgary twice a week. The Calgary leg will expand to three times a week at the end of June.

Canada has a history of low-cost operators who have not succeeded in the longer term. However, McArthur, a veteran executive in the Australian aviation market with similar scales of distance as Canada, is confident Lynx is set to capitalize on an exploding demand for travellers to buckle up and get airborne.

“We think there’s never been a better time to launch an airline, because Canadians are yearning to explore their favourite places and to see their friends and family,” McArthur said.

“Canada has had high fares for a long time and we believe there are people out there who can’t afford to travel on those fares.”

As part of their business model McArthur said Lynx will not offer food service onboard, with their fares aimed exclusively at getting people to their destination as affordably as possible.

Sam Samaddar, Kelowna Airport Director, said while the facility was already on the map as an important player, the arrival of Lynx Air into the ultra-low cost market would open the option for air travel to people who have not previously considered it.

And he said there was already a direct economic impact on the airport.

“You’ve got additional above ground and on ground services for this flight, and every time an aircraft takes off and lands at this airport we’re creating jobs.”