Flair Airlines ruled a Canadian airline by federal regulator, to offer flights out of Windsor in July
Discount airline, Flair, is now clear for takeoff out of Windsor following a regulatory review.
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) launched an investigation into the airline’s corporate structure and ownership in April.
The agency concluded on Wednesday the company 'is Canadian’ and can keep its operating licence.
“We were always a Canadian airline, it’s just more clear now,” stated Stephen Jones, president and CEO of Flair Airlines during a news conference in Edmonton.
The CTA investigation aimed to determine whether Flair’s relationship with Miami-based investor 777 Partners violated rules.
Canadian legislation allows no more than 49 per cent ownership of a Canadian airline by foreign entities.
Jones said his company did not turn to the federal government but instead relied more heavily on investors to carry them during the pandemic when airline traffic was light.
“The governance issue could have been made more clear.”
Flair has made a number of changes because of the investigation, including a promise to increase the number of Canadians on its board.
An upcoming shareholders meeting sometime over the next month will finalize that structure.
Flair has faced opposition from larger rivals Air Canada, WestJet and 30-odd other carriers who have publicly called for the regulator to rule against it.
The airline employs 800 people directly and 1,300 indirectly.
The company announced it would be offering flights out of Windsor in March stating it wanted to bring “a long-weekend culture to Canada.”
The decision means Flair is moving ahead plans for two weekly direct flights out of Windsor to Montreal for $29 each way and Halifax at $29 there and $49 to return starting in July.
The Halifax route is scheduled to switch to Tucson, Az., sometime in December for the winter months.
- With files from CTV News Edmonton
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.