Fort McMurray, AB – Thursday, July 23, 2020
YMM Safely Expands Domestic Air Service with Flair Airlines
Fort McMurray, AB – Today YMM announced it is partnering with Flair Airlines to offer customers with safe, convenient, and affordable air service to Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria. Many travellers are choosing to explore Canada this summer, with the demand for air travel steadily increasing.
Taking the necessary health and safety precautions remains top of mind for the entire aviation industry, as well as passengers who are adapting to the new measures in place to protect themselves and those around them.
“We’ve been hard at work alongside our airline and concession partners, preparing for the return of more passengers,” says RJ Steenstra, President & CEO of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority. “In March, we introduced several public health guided measures to enhance our existing program, and we will continue to educate our guests about our shared responsibility in creating a healthy and safe air travel experience.”
Flair’s new air service offerings will boost mobility for leisure and business travel from coast-to-coast. Passengers coming to and from the region can once again fly direct to Toronto, then transfer onward to provinces in the east, or head west to Vancouver, where they can connect to Victoria, or transfer on to other cities in British Columbia.
“The new routes will provide excellent options for visitors to come to Fort McMurray to access and enjoy some of the regions tourism and business offerings,” continues Steenstra. “We are excited to welcome Flair Airlines to Fort McMurray and we look forward to a successful partnership.”
Beginning August 26, Flair will operate twice a week to Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Originating from Kelowna, with headquarters now in Edmonton, Flair Airlines, is the first low-cost carrier to enter the local market, offering a “pay what you want” model, which puts the customer in the pilot’s seat when it comes to optional fees including carry-on-bags, checked bags, reserved seating, priority boarding snacks and flexible fares.
“We are especially excited to welcome the city of Fort McMurray to our route schedule,” says Jim Scott, CEO of Flair Airlines. “As we are based in Edmonton, we are proud to bring our service and travel options to this area as they have always been an integral part of this province.”
YMM welcoming Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria is a great move in the right direction to help the Wood Buffalo region regenerate its local economy. Air travel and local economic development are intrinsically linked, by way of job creation, contracts and procurement opportunities and business attraction. However, the positive economic impacts extend even further, with the potential to generate trade domestically and internationally and tourism, particularly for remote regions.
“The steps we take today to attract new investment, will determine how well our economy rebounds in the future,” says Kevin Weidlich, President and CEO, Wood Buffalo Economic Development Corporation. “Connecting the region directly to major centres is foundational for getting local businesses and start-ups linked to new markets, not to mention, the doors it can open for developing and supporting robust local tourism experiences.
Safe, convenient, and affordable air service promotes both economic and social progress in communities. Air transport contributes to quality of life in several ways including: increasing consumer choice; creating opportunities to visit other cities; connecting extended family and friend networks; and removing transportation barriers for visiting guests.
“This new service is a game-changer for our community,” says Mayor Don Scott, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. “It will promote travel and business opportunities for people in our region while also improving consumer choice and access. I believe Wood Buffalo is Canada’s bestkept secret and once people experience the exceptional hospitality, energy and opportunities that exist here, they will want to return time and time again.”
For more information:
• Visit Flair Airlines to learn more about airfares. One-way airfares start as low as $79 to Vancouver, $99 to Victoria and $159 to Toronto.
• Visit YMM COMMITTED to learn more about YMM’s enhanced health and safety program.
Fly Healthy. Fly Safe. Fly YMM.
About Fort McMurray International Airport
The Fort McMurray Airport Authority (FMAA) owns and operates the Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM). FMAA is a self-funded, not-for-profit corporation that operates like a local business. Surplus revenue generated from commercial activities are reinvested back into airport infrastructure to meet safety, security and environment regulations.
Media Contacts
Fort McMurray Airport Authority
Margaret Ziolecki
Direct: +1 780 880 7598
Email: Margaret.Ziolecki@FlyYMM.com