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Lynx Air

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This article is about the Canadian airline. For other uses, see Lynx (disambiguation).

Lynx Air
A Lynx Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 taking off from Calgary International Airport in 2023
IATA ICAO Call sign
Y9 DAT[1] DAUNTLESS[1]
Founded
  • 2006 (2006)
    (as New Air & Tours)
  • October 20, 2008 (2008-10-20)
    (as Enerjet)
  • November 16, 2021 (2021-11-16)
    (as Lynx Air)
Commenced operationsApril 7, 2022 (2022-04-07)
(as Lynx Air)
Ceased operationsFebruary 26, 2024 (2024-02-26)
AOC #15852[2]
Operating bases
Fleet size9[3]
Destinations17
HeadquartersCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Key peopleMerren McArthur (President & CEO)
Websitewww.flylynx.com/en Edit this at Wikidata

Lynx Air, legally incorporated as 1263343 Alberta Inc.,[1] was a Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier based in Calgary, Alberta. It previously operated as Enerjet and was rebranded as Lynx Air on November 16, 2021. The first flight under the Lynx Air name took place on April 7, 2022, operating from Calgary International Airport to Vancouver International Airport.

On February 22, 2024, the airline announced it had entered creditor protection and ceased operations on February 26, 2024, at 12:01 AM Mountain Time.[4]

History

Enerjet

An Enerjet Boeing 737-700 at Calgary International Airport (2009)

Enerjet was originally formed in 2006 by a small group of entrepreneurs addressing what they perceived to be a gap in the service provided by Canada's major airlines, WestJet and Air Canada in "middle Canada".[5] It was initially known as New Air & Tours until October 20, 2008, when New Air & Tours revealed its name and corporate logo to be styled as Enerjet.[6] Enerjet was founded by nine individuals, including Tim Morgan, the former senior vice president of WestJet.[7] On November 28, 2008, Enerjet received an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Air Operator License issued by the Canadian Transportation Agency.[8] While the airline initially planned to launch as a scheduled low-cost carrier (LCC), the airline focused instead on charter operations involving the transport of employees of oil companies, such as for Suncor Energy, as well as ad-hoc charter services for Air Transat, deeming the leisure travel market to be competitive following the collapse of Zoom Airlines, as well as the presence of leisure carriers such as WestJet.[9]

By 2012, the airline was still seeking investment to expand into scheduled LCC operations, and had operated some flights between Calgary and Vancouver during peak holiday travel periods, with plans to expand the services to Kelowna and Edmonton.[10] In 2015, Enerjet signed an agreement to acquire 46 Boeing 737 Max 8s, 40 purchased and 6 leased.[11]: 20  By 2016, the airline had gone through two tentative names for its LCC project, consisting of Jet Naked and FlyToo.[12] In late 2018, the airline announced it had attracted investors in order to transition from chartered flights to scheduled operations, one of which included Indigo Partners, which had notably invested in other LCCs including Frontier Airlines, JetSmart, Volaris, and Wizz Air, and Enerjet subsequently planned to relaunch as an LCC during 2019.[13] The launch of the airline was delayed due to the grounding of the 737 Max 8 and the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]: 14, 37 

Lynx Air

On November 16, 2021, the company revealed its new name as Lynx Air, with plans to begin flying in the first quarter of 2022.[14] During the announcement, the airline made commitments for up to 46 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft over the next seven years to meet the anticipated demand, with deliveries starting in early 2022, and that it would follow the low-cost carrier model for its operations.[15] The airline additionally announced it would initially operate domestic routes with plans to add international destinations later. On April 7, 2022, Lynx Air's first flights launched.[16] The airline announced its first international destinations on September 28, 2022, with flights to the United States beginning in early 2023.

On February 22, 2024, Lynx filed for creditor protection from the Court of King's Bench of Alberta and announced it would cease operations on February 26 due to financial issues,[4][17] citing escalating costs and increased airport fees as contributing factors.[18]

Management

Merren McArthur was the airline's president and chief executive officer (CEO). She announced her departure in June 2023, but remained in her role until September 2023 to allow the company time to find her replacement.[19] She previously served as CEO for both Tigerair Australia and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, and founding CEO of Virgin Australia Cargo.[citation needed] Vijay Bathija was the airline's Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), with prior experience at Etihad Airways and Air Canada Rouge.[citation needed] James "Jim" Sullivan was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the airline. He formerly held the position of Vice President of Flight Operations at JetBlue and boasts more than 30 years of experience in airline operations.[20] Mike Woodward was the airline's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with previous experience in the Energy and Banking Sector. Mike has previously served as the CFO of Campus Energy Partners and Vice President of BMO Capital Markets.[citation needed]

Destinations

Lynx Air flew (or have planned to fly) to the following destinations by the time of its announced shutdown in February 2024. It does not include destinations solely operated to by charter flights, such as those under its previous Enerjet name.

Country City Airport Start date End date Notes Refs
Canada Calgary Calgary International Airport April 7, 2022 February 26, 2024 Terminated [21]
Charlottetown Charlottetown Airport May 30, 2024 — Planned [22]
Edmonton Edmonton International Airport July 14, 2022 February 26, 2024 Terminated [23]
Fredericton Fredericton International Airport June 12, 2023 February 26, 2024 Seasonal [24]
Halifax Halifax Stanfield International Airport June 29, 2022 February 26, 2024 Terminated [25]
Hamilton John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport June 29, 2022 February 26, 2024 Terminated [25]
Kelowna Kelowna International Airport April 15, 2022 February 26, 2024 Terminated [21]
Montreal Montréal–Trudeau International Airport June 5, 2023 February 26, 2024 Terminated [26]
Ottawa Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport May 17, 2024 — Planned [27]
Quebec City Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport June 6, 2024 — Planned [28]
Regina Regina International Airport June 20, 2024 — Planned [29]
St. John's St. John's International Airport June 28, 2022 February 26, 2024 Seasonal [25]
Toronto Toronto Pearson International Airport April 11, 2022 February 26, 2024 Base [21][30]
Vancouver Vancouver International Airport April 7, 2022 February 26, 2024 Terminated [21]
Victoria Victoria International Airport May 12, 2022 January 14, 2023 Terminated [31][32]
Winnipeg Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport April 19, 2022 February 26, 2024 Terminated [21]
Mexico Cancún Cancún International Airport February 15, 2024 February 26, 2024 Terminated [33]
United States Boston Logan International Airport March 28, 2024 — Planned [34]
Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport December 14, 2023 February 26, 2024 Terminated [35]
Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport February 24, 2023 February 26, 2024 Terminated [citation needed]
Los Angeles Los Angeles International Airport February 16, 2023 February 26, 2024 Terminated [citation needed]
Orlando Orlando International Airport January 27, 2023 February 26, 2024 Terminated [citation needed]
Phoenix Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport February 7, 2023 February 26, 2024 Seasonal [citation needed]
San Francisco San Francisco International Airport May 3, 2024 — Planned [34]
Tampa Tampa International Airport November 16, 2023 February 26, 2024 Terminated [35]

Fleet

Current

At the time of shutdown, Lynx Air operated the following aircraft:[3]

Lynx Air former fleet
Aircraft Used Orders[36] Passengers[37] Notes
Boeing 737 MAX 8 9 17 189 5 aircraft disposed to WestJet.
Boeing 737 MAX 200 — 21 TBA
Total 9 38

Previous

As Enerjet, the airline previously operated the following aircraft:[38][39]

Enerjet former fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Notes
Boeing 737-700 7 2008 2017
Boeing 737-800 1 2011 2011 Leased from Transavia
1 2013 2014
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 2 2018 2020
Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche 1 2011 2012
A320-200 1 2023 summer 2023 summer Leased from Global Crossing Airlines

Fleet development

As Enerjet, the airline operated a fleet of Boeing 737-700 aircraft for its charter operations, with a single 737-800 leased from Transavia on occasion, before the 737-700s were retired by 2017. After retiring its 737-700s, Enerjet subsequently retained an inactive DHC-6 Twin Otter fleet in order to keep its AOC, while the airline underwent its subsequent transformation from chartered to scheduled operations in the coming years. When the airline eventually announced its rebranding as Lynx Air in November 2021, the airline announced that it had ordered 46 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft for delivery through 2028.[15] In March 2022, the airline announced it had ordered an additional 11 737 MAX 8s.[40]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "ICAO Designators for Canadian Aircraft Operating Agencies, Aeronautical Authorities and Services" (PDF). Nav Canada. May 4, 2023. p. 5. Retrieved February 26, 2023. Lynx Air: DAT, DAUNTLESS
  2. ^ Transport Canada (July 20, 2022), Civil Aviation Services (CAS) AOC. wwwapps.tc.gc.ca.
  3. ^ a b "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Lynx Air". Transport Canada. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Hunt, Stephen (February 22, 2024). "Lynx Air files for creditor protection, final flight scheduled for Feb. 26". CTV News. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Jang, Brent (November 24, 2008). "Will Enerjet fly". The Globe and Mail.
  6. ^ "NewAir and Tours reveal new name, Enerjet!". Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  7. ^ "Enerjet airline set to launch in Canada". Financial Post. Archived from the original on October 22, 2008.
  8. ^ "Enerjet Achieves Regulatory Approvals". Enerjet (Press release). Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
  9. ^ Sobie, Brendan (July 8, 2009). "Canada's Enerjet further postpones plans for leisure flights". FlightGlobal. DVV Media Group. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  10. ^ "Charter airline Enerjet looks to offer public flights". CBC News. November 16, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Woodward, Michael. "Affidavit of Michael Woodward" (PDF). Lynx Air CCBA Portal. FTI Consulting. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  12. ^ "Canada's Enerjet revises ULCC project name to FlyToo". ch-aviation. March 10, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  13. ^ "Charter flight company Enerjet plans to relaunch as ultra-low-cost carrier in 2019". Financial Post. December 20, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  14. ^ "Watch the sky". Lynx Air. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Stephenson, Amanda (November 16, 2021). "New ultra-low-cost carrier, Lynx Air, will launch from Calgary". CP24. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  16. ^ Klisaukaite, Vyte (April 8, 2022). "Canada's new low-cost airline Lynx Air launches operations". AeroTime Hub. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  17. ^ Dupis, Lily. "Lynx Air to cease operations Monday, obtains creditor protection". CBC News.
  18. ^ "Lynx Air not the 1st low-cost airline to shut down. Why many have failed". Global News.
  19. ^ "Lynx Air president and CEO Merren McArthur to step down in September". Global News. June 29, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  20. ^ "Lynx Air Appoints James "Jim" Sullivan as Chief Operating Officer (COO)" (Press release). CNW Group. October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d e Casey, David (January 20, 2022). "Lynx Air To Serve Five Canadian Destinations". Routes. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  22. ^ Brun, Stephen (January 9, 2024). "Low-cost airline to offer flights between P.E.I. and Calgary starting in May". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  23. ^ "Lynx Air announces major expansion out of Halifax". Lynx Air (Press release). Cision. May 10, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  24. ^ "Lynx Air Adds Fredericton to its Network". Financial Post. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  25. ^ a b c Silvestre, Irish Mae (March 17, 2022). "'Ultra affordable' Lynx Air is expanding in the Toronto region". Daily Hive News. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  26. ^ Ray, Lillian (March 8, 2023). "Budget airline Lynx Air adding Montreal to its network". CTV News. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  27. ^ Liu, Jim (December 9, 2023). "Lynx Air adds Calgary – Ottawa service from May 2024". AeroRoutes. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  28. ^ "Lynx Air adds Quebec City-Calgary flights". The Gazette (Montreal). Postmedia Network. January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  29. ^ Postley, Drew (January 17, 2024). "A new 'ultra low cost airline' is coming to Regina". CTV News. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  30. ^ "Lynx Air Launches Inaugural Flight from Toronto to LA". Lynx Air (Press release). GlobeNewswire. August 23, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023. Lynx recently established a pilot and cabin crew base in Toronto to support this growth
  31. ^ "Lynx Air's network continues to bloom as it adds Victoria, BC as its sixth destination" (Press release). GlobeNewswire News Room. February 15, 2022.
  32. ^ Liu, Jim (November 5, 2023). "Lynx Air NS24 Preliminary Service Changes – 05Nov23". AeroRoutes. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  33. ^ Liu, Jim (October 25, 2023). "Lynx Air schedules Cancun Feb 2024 launch". AeroRoutes. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  34. ^ a b Liu, Jim (December 20, 2023). "Lynx Air NS24 Network Additions – 19Dec23". AeroRoutes. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  35. ^ a b "Lynx Air to launch nine US services in 2H2023". CAPA. Informa Markets. July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  36. ^ "Canada's Lynx Air secures permission for European flights". October 4, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  37. ^ "Lynx Air Fleet". Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  38. ^ "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register Historical Search". Transport Canada. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  39. ^ "Enerjet Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  40. ^ Waldron, Greg (March 2, 2022). "BOC Aviation buys 11 737 Max 8s headed to Canadian start-up Lynx". FlightGlobal. DVV Media Group. Retrieved May 19, 2022.

Media related to Lynx Air at Wikimedia Commons

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