NewLeaf Travel must meet YLW requirements before take off

A new low-cost airline will soon be taking off from Kelowna’s airport. But with less than two weeks to go, it’s still finalizing agreements with several airports it plans to serve, including YLW.

READ MORE: NewLeaf facing several hurdles with launch date fast-approaching

NewLeaf’s initial launch was grounded by Ottawa in January. But last month, it announced it will relaunch in five weeks’ time.

“From the time they announced their relaunch to the actual date of launch is a very short, short period of time. So that’s the probably the unusual piece. We have to get those things done in a shorter sequence of time. Normally we have a little bit more time to deal with this, but this isn’t something we can’t deliver,” said Sam Samaddar, YLW’s airport director.

Samaddar said NewLeaf needs to sign a contract with the airport and put down a deposit.

He said the YLW has learned from experience with previous discount airlines how turbulent the business can be.

“There’s a high risk for when you start and operate a new airline and I’ve seen a number of airlines come and go,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There's a high risk for when you start and operate a new airline and I've seen a number of airlines come and go," he said.

WATCH: NewLeaf gets permission to take off, but low-cost flights come with a catch. Ross Lord reports.

2:29 NewLeaf gets permission to take off, but low-cost flights come with a catch

NewLeaf is optimistic it won’t make the list of failed airlines and it’s assuring flyers the proper paperwork will be signed on time.

“We intend to have those completed within the timeframe we had expected and we’re comfortable those will get concluded well in advance of those first flights,” said Dean Dacko, the company’s chief commercial officer. 

WATCH: What consumers need to know about Canada’s new discount airline NewLeaf

3:09 What consumers need to know about Canada’s new discount airline NewLeaf