WINNIPEG — The turbulence is over for NewLeaf Travel.
The low cost travel company made an announcement Wednesday, saying customers are now able to book and check out routes online.
“Any rumours of our death have been greatly exaggerated,” Jim Young, president of NewLeaf Travel said.
The company has also expanded its route map, flying to 12 Canadian destinations, instead of seven. This includes: Halifax, Moncton, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Kelowna, Kamloops, Fort St. John, Abbotsford and Victoria.
The first flights will take off July 25.
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“We are excited to resume operations as people plan their summer vacations,” Young said.
“We know Canadians have been waiting for this service, and are delighted to increase their travel options by offering more flights to more destinations, with fares as low as $79.”
The Winnipeg-based company postponed sales of airline tickets in January, so the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) could complete a licencing review of indirect carriers.
READ MORE: NewLeaf airline postpones service, refunds credit cards pending review
The company contended that it did not require a licence because it is not an airline. Instead, it purchases seats from Kelowna based Flair Airlines and resells them to the public. Flair Airlines, which owns and operates a fleet of Boeing 737-400 jets, is licensed under the CTA.
READ MORE: Winnipeg’s NewLeaf Travel Company greenlit to sell discount air services
The CTA completed its review at the end of March and determined NewLeaf was not required to hold an air licence.
Decision heading to court
Halifax-based passenger advocate, Gabor Lukacs says people should be alarmed that NewLeaf is an unlicensed company, saying it leaves passengers with a financial risk.
READ MORE: Avoid new ‘ultra low-cost’ airline, passenger advocate warns
Lukacs is appealing the licensing decision the CTA made, which is being taken to the Federal Court of Appeal. There is no date set for the appeal at the moment.
“If the decision does not go in NewLeaf’s favour… we have a back up plan and will exercise it at that time,” Young said.
Young did not specify what the back up plan was. He said there would be a refund process for customers if the CTA’s licensing decision is revoked in the appeal process.
Flight Map
Here is a map of the routes NewLeaf will be flying to, starting July 25:
With files from the Canadian Press
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