By John Flett
Lynx Air Adds Montréal to Expanding North American Network
Lynx Air — the Canadian ultra low-cost carrier — will commence operations from Montréal’s Pierre Trudeau International Airport in June. Canada’s second-largest city will become the fifteenth North American destination on the Calgary, Alberta-based carrier’s network with services to Calgary International Airport and St. John, Canada’s International Airport.
Merren McArthur, chief executive officer of Lynx, said, “We are delighted to be adding the vibrant city of Montreal to the Lynx Air network in the lead-up to summer. While Montréal is a very popular destination, it is currently under-served by low-cost carriers, and Lynx aims to change that.”
Lynx will operate between two to four flights per week, commencing on June 5 from Montreal to Calgary and St. John’s, ‘depending on the market.’ The carrier operates six Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with a configuration of up to 189 seats. The announcement of the addition of Montréal to the airline’s network comes just under a month before the one-year anniversary of Lynx’s operations commencing and has been welcomed by all three airports.
Stéphane Lapierre, Vice President, Airport Operations and Air Services Development, ADM Aéroports de Montréal, said: “ADM Aéroports de Montréal is very pleased to welcome Lynx Air to YUL for the first time. The announcement of these direct flights to Calgary and St. John’s is a great contribution to the development of domestic air services at YUL.” Lapierre added: “ADM is always looking for ways to offer our passengers the best possible service for both business and leisure travelers, and Lynx Air will certainly enhance the domestic flight options from Montréal.”
Lisa Bragg, Director of Business Development and Marketing with the St. John’s International Airport Authority, stated: “We are thrilled with the expansion of Lynx Air’s service out of St. John’s. This new Lynx route from St. John’s to Montréal and onward to Calgary further enhances our passenger choices in flying and reinforces the partnership we are building with Lynx.” The airline has already operated ‘through-flights’ from St. John’s via Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to Calgary and Edmonton, Canada’s International Airport.
Carmelle Hunka, Vice President, External Affairs, ESG, Enterprise Risk & General Counsel for The Calgary Airport Authority, said, “The addition of Montréal to Lynx Air’s route offerings out of YYC showcases the success it has seen in its YYC operations. We are thrilled with the success our collaboration has had over the last year and look forward to continuing to support Lynx’s growth and expansion in the years to come.”
The expansion of Lynx Air’s network referenced by YYC’s Hunka has included inaugural services last month to Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport.
During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team that created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff, balancing a mix of corporate and social content.
John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a Masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. He has been the course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university and a member of Heathrow Community Trust’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.
John is currently living in Canada and is contracted as an external instructor for IATA (International Air Transport Association) and other aviation-related organizations.
