Start-Ups Canada’s Jetlines postpones its operational launch

The Vancouver-based ultra-low cost carrier Jetlines has announced it will postpone its commencement of operations to the second quarter of 2018.

“The key items remaining to commence flight operations are the completion of the licensing process, aircraft acquisition and completion of the financing process. With respect to aircraft acquisition, the current market for leased aircraft has tightened considerably during 2017 and early 2018. The principal reasons are the well documented engine manufacturing issues for the Airbus neo-powered aircraft, the increased demand for the Boeing freighter conversion program for Boeing 737-800s and world-wide traffic demand exceeding projections,” Jetlines stated in an official release on its website.  

Jetlines has signed a letter of intent for two Boeing 737-800 in September 2017, but due to the current market situation, the lessor is unable to provide the aircraft at the scheduled delivery date.

For its further plans, the carrier stated: “At this stage Jetlines is in advanced negotiations with several major aircraft lessors to secure the aircraft required to support both its start-up and growth plans. However, it will not attain a June 2018 start-up date as previously projected. Once Jetlines has secured definitive aircraft delivery dates, it will provide new guidance to the market on its projected start-up date. It expects to provide an update announcement in the second quarter of 2018.”

In December 2017, Jetlines announced it will open a first base at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Additional bases are planned at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and Abbotsford International Airport. First destinations will be in Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Carribean. The new start-up airline will compete with several low-cost airlines like WestJet’s new ultra-low cost subsidiary Swoop which plans to commence operations from its first hub John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport in June 2018.