Flair Airlines (F8, Kelowna) is to open a new winter base in Tucson International, Arizona, to be served from five Canadian destinations between November 30, 2022, and March 24, 2023, in terms of a new long-term partnership with the airport.

The Canadian budget carrier, in a statement, said it would overnight one aircraft at Tuscon next winter. The airport would be served nonstop from Edmonton International, Fort McMurray, Lethbridge, Prince George, and Windsor.

"We know that Canadians in communities across the country will be keen to soak up the winter sun in Tucson. With consistent service for years to come, we think this is the beginning of an excellent yearly tradition for Canadians," commented Chief Commercial Officer Garth Lund.

"Not only have we found a way to achieve a long-time goal of adding nonstop flights to and from Canada, but TUS will also be the only Arizona – or the US for that matter – destination from four of those airports," added Tucson Airport Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Danette Bewley.

The new schedules from Tucson will be as follows:

  • Edmonton: 2x weekly between November 30, 2022, and March 24, 2023;
  • Fort McMurray: 2x weekly, between November 30, 2022, and March 22, 2023;
  • Lethbridge: 1x weekly, between December 1, 2022, and March 23, 2023;
  • Prince George: 1x weekly, between December 2, 2022, and March 24, 2023;
  • Windsor: 1x weekly, between December 1, 2022, and March 23, 2023.

Flair operates an all-Boeing fleet of 12 aircraft, including nine B737-8s and three B737-800s, according to the ch-aviation fleets module. It has announced plans to grow its fleet with 14 more B737-8s to 30 aircraft by mid-2023. It currently has four more of the type due from lessor/shareholder 777 Partners in the US. Its vision is to have a fleet of 50 aircraft by 2025.

The airline currently serves 34 destinations on 84 routes in three countries: Canada, the US, and Mexico, according to the ch-aviation schedules module. It's strongest market share in terms of weekly capacity is at Toronto Pearson, Edmonton, and Vancouver International, the ch-aviation capacities data shows.