NewLeaf (Winnipeg International) will not launch its first scheduled international flight to the US airport of Phoenix Williams Gateway as planned, blaming predatory tactics from rival WestJet (WS, Calgary).

The Canadian virtual carrier announced its scheduled 3x weekly Calgary – Phoenix Williams Gateway in November 2016, with services due to start on January 19, 2017. A few days later, WestJet announced 3x weekly flights along the same route, starting on the same date.

Jim Young, CEO of New Leaf, expressed his displeasure on Facebook. "This airline had also lowered its fares and offered service to an airport it had previously ignored for over a decade... This is a classic case of the big guy squishing the little guy so that the big guy can profit more." Young added that another planned route Hamilton, ON – Fort Myers Southwest Florida will also not go ahead.

Newcomer NewLeaf launched in July 2016 and wet-leases a single B737-400 from Flair Airlines (F8, Kelowna) – C-FLHJ (msn 25104) - for its requirements. The LCC flies to eight destinations in Canada, including Abbotsford, Yechon, Edmonton International, Halifax, Hamilton, ON, Kelowna, Winnipeg International, and Moncton.