The Okanagan’s newest airline is in a holding pattern.
NewLeaf Travel Company announced Monday that it’s temporarily postponing sales of airline tickets pending a Canadian Transportation Agency review of licensing regulations for indirect air service providers. It will also refund all credit card transactions for reservations scheduled to begin Feb. 12.
“During this uncertain time, we didn’t want to put anyone with existing bookings at risk, and we wanted to give customers time to make other travel arrangements” said Jim Young, NewLeaf chief executive officer.
The airline had recently announced a schedule that includes direct flights from Kelowna International Airport to Hamilton, Ont., Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg.
NewLeaf hopes to resume taking reservations in the spring.
“The reason why we launched Jan. 6 is because it was confirmed that we were in full compliance of CTA licensing regulations,” said Young.
“The CTA gave us an exemption from holding a licence directly while it reviews its legislation.”
Under a charter arrangement with Kelowna-based Flair Airlines, Flair held the CTA operating licence, while NewLeaf offered seat sales.
“Now, there is ambiguity in the air as to whether we need to amend the relationship with our air service provider, or whether we need to have a licence ourselves. While Canada has many other indirect air service providers, NewLeaf is in a unique position as we are the first large-scale IASP,” said Young.
“As with any success that threatens to change the status quo, there are those that will resist that change and take any measures necessary to maintain the existing playing field, even if it is to the detriment of the vast majority and the benefit of the very few.”
