Canadian ultra-low cost carrier Lynx Air has announced that it will be officially ceasing commercial flight operations.
The airline filed for creditor protection on February 22nd, 2024, and will officially shut down on Sunday, February 25th, 2024 after completing their scheduled flights for that day.
In a brief advisory statement, Lynx cited a combination of factors for the closure, including financial pressures, rising operating costs, high fuel prices, and increasing airport charges.
Lynx Air: Closure of Operations
After completing its final scheduled flight on 25 February, Lynx advise the cessation of flight services will come into effect as of 12:01 a.m. MT on Monday, February 26.
The carrier’s statement reads: “Tremendous work was put into the growth and expansion of Lynx Air over the past two years, offering Canadians a low-cost, seamless travel experience for Canadians.”
“However, the compounding financial pressures associated with inflation, fuel costs, exchange rates, cost of capital, regulatory costs and competitive tension in the Canadian market have ultimately proven too steep a mountain for our organization to overcome.”
“It is with a heavy heart we leave the skies. We hope in our absence that our vision to Inspire More Canadians to Fly leaves its mark on our passengers,” the statement read in closing.
For affected passengers holding travel vouchers or with booking mad after the official closure time, the carrier has set up an FAQ page on its website.
Departure of Lynx from Canadian market
Launched less than two years ago, the Calgary-based ultra-low cost carrier now leaves a gap in the low-cost/budget airline market sector.
Citing significant external challenges over the past year, Lynx sought a creditor protection order this week from the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, before issuing their brief closure advisory today.
September 2023 saw the departure of the airline’s founding CEO Merren Macarthur, who had steered the carrier from start-up into a position where it has grown its international network too points in the United States and Mexico.
At the time of cessation of operations, the carrier maintains a fleet of nine Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
The departure of ULCC Lynx Air leaves elbow room in the Canadian low-cost market for fellow carrier Flair, which has similarly faced financial and external challenges of its own.
It is understood that Flair will be continuing its own daily operations without disruption.
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