After launching in SEP, 2022, Canada Jetlines has paused two domestic routes between its hub at YYZ and both YYC and YVR, as a number of media outlets have been reporting.
The move comes as the leisure airline has expanded its international service to seasonal sun destinations Cancun and Las Vegas, and also, as Open Jaw reported 28MAR, as the carrier entered into an ACMI contract for several months this year.
The wet lease agreement is for Jetlines to provide aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance to another airline.
As Chief Commercial Officer Duncan Bureau told the Globe 04APR, ACMI's are "common" practice among airlines around the world. “When we had an opportunity to operate an ACMI lease, that guaranteed revenue and guaranteed hours. From a business perspective, it makes sense for us to take the ACMI lease."
The Globe reports Canada's domestic aviation market is seeing not only rising post-pandemic demand, but also rising competition with "up to six airlines simultaneously flying some of the country’s most popular routes, putting downward pressure on ticket prices."
Bureau told Open Jaw, “Canada Jetlines will operate in markets where we believe we can contribute to local economies and tourism. Operations in some markets will be seasonal while others will be year round."
The ACMI lease ends in the fall when Jetlines says it plans to resume domestic routes.
The carrier is also expecting delivery of three more aircraft by the end of the year. Bureau told the Globe that adding new planes "will give us the ability to operate into key gateways like Calgary and Vancouver."
He added, “We’re extremely bullish on both markets."
