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
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
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.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.