Lynx Air ceases operations after two years
Financial pressures are being blamed for the demise of the Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier
Ultra-low-cost carrier Lynx Air announced it was ceasing operations on Monday 26 February. The airline, which flew to destinations in Canada, the US, and Mexico, said that “compounding financial pressures associated with inflation, fuel costs, exchange rates, cost of capital, regulatory costs and competitive tension in the Canadian market” had “ultimately proven too steep a mountain for our organisation to overcome”.
Launched just two years ago in Calgary, the airline had been working “tirelessly” to find a solution to keep operations going, but closure became “the only path we could take”, it said. “The decision was made quickly to wind down operations while leaving enough time to get our crews and as many of our passengers as possible home.”
Customers who had flights booked for travel on or after 26 February would receive notice of cancellation of the flight, and Lynx Air would be in contact regarding the processing of the refund, the carrier said.
Canada’s national public broadcaster, CBC, said Lynx was joining “a long line of Canadian discount carriers that have failed to take off”. It blamed “third-party fees” for making it difficult for ultra low-cost carriers to compete.
“The challenges we faced were not ours alone, and we hope air travel in Canada can continue to be accessible to Canadians and beyond,” Lynx Air said in a post on its Facebook page.
Canadians are still prioritising travel despite the rising cost of living, a recent survey found.