Flair Airlines celebrates inaugural Nashville flight amidst federal review
For the first time, Edmonton-based Flair Airlines is taking off at the Edmonton International Airport to Nashville, Tenn.
The new destination is part of a partnership between Flair Airlines, Edmonton International Airport (EIA), and Nashville International Airport.
Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi will be on-board the inaugural flight. Sohi says the partnership between Edmonton and Nashville will strengthen the relationship between the two cities.
"We have been working to build that relationship," said Sohi. "The shared value around arts, for culture, for music, for health innovation, I think this non-stop flight will allow us to build on that."
Many passengers are celebrating the new connection by attending the Edmonton Oilers' away game against the Nashville Predators Thursday night.
The new route takes off as the airline undergoes review by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA).
A preliminary ruling released by the agency on March 3 found the Edmonton-based airline may not be Canadian controlled as defined in the Canada Transportation Act.
In order to be a licensed domestic airline, the company must be incorporated in Canada and at least 51 per cent of voting interests must be owned and controlled by Canadians, according to the CTA.
The agency is currently investigating whether or not Miami-based company 777 Partners, which owns part of the airline, is the legitimate owner of the airline.
Dr. Gabor Lukacs, president of Canadian nonprofit Air Passenger Rights, says he does not expect Flair’s license to be pulled in the near future.
Lukacs was hired in 2018 by Flair Airlines for two days as a consultant for passenger treatment, and says he believes the review is an attempt to put an end to the airline.
Flair has applied for an extension regarding ownership of the company.
"On the one hand they maintain that they are Canadian, on the other hand they also say if we are not, please allow us some time to clear up our mess," said Lukacs.
A decision on the fate of the airline could come as early as May 3, 2022.
Tuesday’s route to Nashville is one of nine new flights scheduled at EIA throughout the next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Parliamentary report on Emergencies Act decision is 18 months past due — and counting
The erstwhile group of senators and MPs studying the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act over the "Freedom Convoy" was supposed to present its findings in December. December of 2022, that is.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Black youth face multiple barriers in accessing mental health care, experts say
Black youth in Canada face multiple barriers in getting access to mental health services — and health-care providers can make the situation more difficult, experts say.
Bystander livestreams during Charlotte standoff show an ever-growing appetite for social media video
Saing Chhoeun was locked out of his Charlotte, N.C., home on Monday as law enforcement with high-powered rifles descended into his yard and garage, using a car as a shield as they were met with a shower of gunfire from the direction of his neighbor's house.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Israel has briefed U.S. on plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of potential Rafah operation
Israel this week briefed Biden administration officials on a plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of a potential operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah aimed at rooting out Hamas militants, according to U.S. officials familiar with the talks.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.