In 2003, Jim Rogers noticed a gap in the airline market. He recognized the need for a charter airline company that focused on providing customized lift for commercial users.

In 2005, he founded Flair Airlines, a passenger and cargo charter airline service based out of Kelowna, British Columbia.

Prior to establishing Flair, Rogers spent 35 years working alongside Barry Lapointe to create Kelowna Flightcraft. Kelowna Flightcraft, with facilities in Kelowna, British Columbia, and Hamilton, Ontario, is one of Canada’s largest and most successful charter aircraft companies. They are the exclusive air cargo carrier of Purolator, shipping up to 900,000 lbs of freight nightly. Kelowna’s subsidiary, Allied Wings, operates the Canadian Forces Contracted Flying Training and Support Program from their education base in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Aircraft

As of October 2013, Flair Airlines’ fleet included four Boeing 737-400’s and one Cessna 340. The Boeing 737-400s are short- to medium-range narrow-body jet airlines. Each includes 158 coach, or 76 business seats. The aircraft is part of the brand’s ‘Classic’ model series, produced between the years 1984 to 2000. Flair’s Boeing 737-400’s are primarily used for large-number passenger and workforce charter travel.

The Cessna 340, produced from 1971 to 1984, is a twin piston engine pressurized business aircraft. It holds only four passenger seats, and is usually used for short-distance travel. Flair’s Cessna 340 is used mainly on an as-needed basis, providing specialized service between client-directed destinations.

Services

Flair Airlines caters to three distinct markets: passenger charter, workforce charter, and ACMI (aircraft lease) charter. The Boeing 737-400 and Cessna 340 aircrafts are the only ones regularly used in these operations.

Flair’s passenger charter service provides both ad hoc (single) and ongoing regular flights to destinations throughout North America and the Caribbean. According to the Flair website, passenger charter service markets include remote area personnel changes, government/military airlifts, corporate incentive travel, television and film production crews, sports tours and events, school programs, and orchestra/music tours.

Flair offers flexible, convenient passenger flights at an economically efficient rate. The boutique nature of the service allows for “point-to-point” service, in which Flair’s planes travel between smaller airports closer to the clients desired destination. This approach reduces travel time, and lowers the chance of potential delays.

The workforce transportation segment (or “workforce logistics management”) of Flair Airlines allows companies throughout Canada to transport their employees to major infrastructure projects in a safe and cost-effective manner. Flair is committed to providing reliable, consistent travel opportunities for workforce clientele in order to ensure all projects can remain on schedule.

An aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) contract, also known as a “wet lease,” is when an aircraft charter service leases their services to another aircraft charter company. Flair cooperates in these B2B operational models, regularly working alongside its peers to provide a “flight ready” aircraft, complete with a professional support and maintenance team.

Through the ACMI program, Flair Airlines provides customers with a “turn-key” aircraft package.This cooperative service allows clients to rest assured their air travel needs will be taken care of to Flair’s fullest capabilities.

Current Contracts

In January 2013, Flair air signed a contract with the Vancouver Canucks, in which the airline service will act as the sole provider of charter services for the Canadian national hockey team. They now fly in Flair’s Boeing 737-400 aircraft, which offers a 76 VIP seat configuration.

On October 04, 2014, Shell Canada closed its corporate aviation department. Three days later, Shell signed with Flair Airlines. From there on in, Flair would be solely responsible for all of Shell’s aviation-related needs. The air charter company will utilize its own Boeing 737-400 aircrafts as well as operate Shell’s two existing aircrafts, its passenger terminal and its hanger.

In an article with Skies Magazine, Flair vice president of Business Development Chris Lapointe commented, “This is a good deal for both Flair and Shell. It gives Shell an experienced, dedicated air service provider which can adapt easily to changing requirements and one that can also deliver cost savings over the previous model. For Flair, it’s a 10-year opportunity to share an alliance with a major player in the energy development sector in Western Canada.”  

www.flairair.ca