Discount carrier launches nonstop route to Canada

Flair Airlines offers direct flights from St. Pete to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

By Business Observer Staff
| 8:46 a.m. January 2, 2019
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

British Columbia-based Flair Airlines has launched a new direct route linking St. Pete-Clearwater and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Photo courtesy of Liam Allport / Wikimedia Commons.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

ST. PETERSBURG — Flair Airlines has begun nonstop service from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to Winnipeg International Airport in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

According to a press release, Kelowna, B.C.-based Flair is Canada’s sole independent, low-fare airline, and has been growing rapidly, hiring 100 employees since June as it adds new routes. Its St. Pete-Winnipeg service will operate on Mondays and Fridays, and one-way fares start at $111.

“We are delighted to include St. Pete-Clearwater to our growing route network,” Flair Executive Chairman David Tait states in the release. “We know the community of Winnipeg is looking forward to escaping to your snow-free beaches and other attractions. At the same time, if anyone wants to slip away to see some real winter, we have some great fares to Canada.”

St. Pete-Clearwater represents the sixth U.S. destination for Flair, a former charter airline that transitioned to scheduled service in 2017, according to the release.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport Director Tom Jewsbury says the new route is a welcome addition, particularly because the region hasn’t had direct flights to Winnipeg since the 1990s.

“We are excited to provide new travel options from the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport,” Jewsbury states in the release. “I would like to thank Flair for resuming non-stop service from Winnipeg, Canada, to our award-winning destination.”