Flair Airlines has four aircraft seized over non-payment

Flair Airlines said four of its aircraft remained inoperative following «extreme and unusual» actions by a lessor over non-payment.

Flair Airlines says it has already started payment

According to a spokesperson for the Canadian low-cost carrier quoted by Global News, the move was part of a commercial dispute with a hedge fund and a leasing company. The representative said the airline «feels aggrieved by this unprecedented action». According to a source quoted by Global News, the lessor is Ireland-based Airborne Capital.

In a press release, Flair Airlines said it was in talks with all parties involved in order to move forward with consensual mediation and remedy the situation. It also said it had received no prior notice of the seizures, but had already initiated payment.

Cancelled flights

The seizure occurred days before the start of Canada’s March holiday period, so the impact on operations could be greater than would otherwise have been the case. Two of the aircraft remained in Toronto, while another was in Edmonton and the remaining was at Region of Waterloo International Airport.

As a result, the company had to cancel some of its flights. However, it said it would introduce three idle aircraft into service. In this way, it will be able to lessen the impact of the seizure on its activity.

The Flair Airlines fleet

According to ch-aviation, Flair Airlines operates a total of 22 Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft, all of which are leased.

It currently leases thirteen aircraft to 777 Partners, six to Airborne Capital, two to Zephyrus Aviation Capital and another to an unknown company. The airline expects to continue to take delivery of 737 MAX aircraft gradually as part of a fourteen-airplanes deal with 777 Partners, announced at the end of 2021.

Flair Airlines expects to have 27 aircraft in operation by the middle of this year to boost its route and seat offerings during the summer season.