Flair CEO Stephen Jones says putting the budget airline’s expansion plans on hold for at least a year as it contends with plane delivery delays and hefty debts.
“This will be a more muted year,” he said in an interview with Canadian Press, “but we’ll look to get back into growth mode strongly in 2025.”
A few months ago, the Edmonton-based company aimed to boost its fleet to 26 Boeing 737 Max jetliners in 2024, up from its current roster of 20. On Monday, Jones said the fleet likely won’t grow much in the coming year, due partly to hold-ups at Boeing.
CP earlier this week reported that Flair owes the federal government $67.2 million in unpaid taxes, which prompted the Canada Revenue Agency to obtain an order for the seizure and sale of the carrier’s property. But Jones said Flair has a plan in place to repay the government.
