Lynx Air
{{Short description|Defunct ultra-low-cost airline of Canada (2006–2024)}}
{{about|the Canadian airline|other uses|Lynx (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Lynx Air
| logo = Lynx_Air_Logo.png
| image = Lynx Air B738 landing YYC.jpg
| caption = A Lynx Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 taking off from Calgary International Airport in 2023
| destinations = 17
| aoc = 15852{{TCAOC|July 20, 2022|158-52|Lynx+Air}}
| IATA = Y9
| callsign = DAUNTLESS{{CanICAOD|Lynx Air|DAT|DAUNTLESS|5|2023-02-26}}
| parent =
| company =
| founded = {{ubl|
| {{start date|2006}}
{{small|(as New Air & Tours)}}
| {{start date|2008|10|20}}
{{small|(as Enerjet)}}
| {{start date|2021|11|16}}
{{small|(as Lynx Air)}}}}
| commenced = {{start date|2022|04|07}}
{{small|(as Lynx Air)}}
| ceased = {{end date|2024|02|26}}
| bases = {{ubl|
| {{nowrap|Calgary}}
| {{nowrap|Toronto–Pearson}}}}
| num_employees =
| headquarters = Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| key_people = Merren McArthur (President & CEO)
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer =
| alliance =
| subsidiaries =
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
Lynx Air, legally incorporated as 1263343 Alberta Inc., was a Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier based in Calgary, Alberta. It previously operated as Enerjet and was rebranded as Lynx Air on November 16, 2021. The first flight under the Lynx Air name took place on April 7, 2022, operating from Calgary International Airport to Vancouver International Airport.
On February 22, 2024, the airline announced it had entered creditor protection and ceased operations on February 26, 2024, at 12:00 AM Mountain Time.
History
=Enerjet=
File:Enerjet 737-700 (3849371283).jpg at Calgary International Airport (2009)]]
Enerjet was originally formed in 2006 by a small group of entrepreneurs addressing what they perceived to be a gap in the service provided by Canada's major airlines, WestJet and Air Canada in "middle Canada".{{cite web|first=Brent|last=Jang|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/will-enerjet-fly/article20390289/|title=Will Enerjet fly|website=The Globe and Mail|date=November 24, 2008}} It was initially known as New Air & Tours until October 20, 2008, when New Air & Tours revealed its name and corporate logo to be styled as Enerjet.{{Cite web|url=http://www.enerjet.ca/readarticle.php?id=12|title=NewAir and Tours reveal new name, Enerjet!|access-date=November 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220230138/http://www.enerjet.ca/readarticle.php?id=12|archive-date=December 20, 2016}} Enerjet was founded by nine individuals, including Tim Morgan, the former senior vice president of WestJet.{{Cite web|url=http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=893438|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022121151/http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=893438 |title=Enerjet airline set to launch in Canada|archive-date=October 22, 2008|website=Financial Post}} On November 28, 2008, Enerjet received an air operator's certificate (AOC) and Air Operator License issued by the Canadian Transportation Agency.{{Cite press release|url=http://www.enerjet.ca/readarticle.php?id=14|title=Enerjet Achieves Regulatory Approvals|website=Enerjet|access-date=December 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220230114/http://www.enerjet.ca/readarticle.php?id=14|archive-date=December 20, 2016}} While the airline initially planned to launch as a scheduled low-cost carrier (LCC), the airline focused instead on charter operations involving the transport of employees of oil companies, such as for Suncor Energy, as well as ad-hoc charter services for Air Transat, deeming the leisure travel market to be competitive following the collapse of Zoom Airlines, as well as the presence of leisure carriers such as WestJet.{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/canadas-enerjet-further-postpones-plans-for-leisure-flights/87712.article|title=Canada's Enerjet further postpones plans for leisure flights|last=Sobie|first=Brendan|website=FlightGlobal|publisher=DVV Media Group|date=July 8, 2009|access-date=July 11, 2022}}
By 2012, the airline was still seeking investment to expand into scheduled LCC operations, and had operated some flights between Calgary and Vancouver during peak holiday travel periods, with plans to expand the services to Kelowna and Edmonton.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/charter-airline-enerjet-looks-to-offer-public-flights-1.1150373|title=Charter airline Enerjet looks to offer public flights|website=CBC News|date=November 16, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2022}} In 2015, Enerjet signed an agreement to acquire 46 Boeing 737 MAX (the MAX 8), 40 purchased and 6 leased.{{cite web |last1=Woodward |first1=Michael |title=Affidavit of Michael Woodward |url=http://cfcanada.fticonsulting.com/lynxair/docs/Affidavit%20of%20Michael%20Woodward,%20sworn%20February%2022,%202024.pdf |website=Lynx Air CCBA Portal |publisher=FTI Consulting |access-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223072412/http://cfcanada.fticonsulting.com/lynxair/docs/Affidavit%20of%20Michael%20Woodward,%20sworn%20February%2022,%202024.pdf |archive-date=February 23, 2024}}{{rp|20}} By 2016, the airline had gone through two tentative names for its LCC project, consisting of Jet Naked and FlyToo.{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/44639-canadas-enerjet-revises-ulcc-project-name-to-flytoo|title=Canada's Enerjet revises ULCC project name to FlyToo|website=ch-aviation|date=March 10, 2016|access-date=July 11, 2022}} In late 2018, the airline announced it had attracted investors in order to transition from chartered flights to scheduled operations, one of which included American private equity firm Indigo Partners, which had notably invested in other LCCs including Frontier Airlines, JetSmart, Volaris, and Wizz Air, and Enerjet subsequently planned to relaunch as an LCC during 2019.{{cite news|url=https://financialpost.com/transportation/airlines/enerjet-aims-to-take-off-in-crowded-budget-carrier-market-next-year|title=Charter flight company Enerjet plans to relaunch as ultra-low-cost carrier in 2019|website=Financial Post|date=December 20, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2022}} The launch of the airline was delayed due to the Boeing 737 MAX groundings and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on commercial air transport.{{rp|14,37}}
=Lynx Air=
On November 16, 2021, the company revealed its new name as Lynx Air, with plans to begin flying in the first quarter of 2022.{{Cite web|title=Watch the sky|url=https://www.flylynx.com/|access-date=November 17, 2021|website=Lynx Air|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116175516/https://www.flylynx.com/|archive-date=November 16, 2021}} During the announcement, the airline made commitments for up to 46 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft over the next seven years to meet the anticipated demand, with deliveries starting in early 2022, and that it would follow the low-cost carrier model for its operations.{{Cite web|last=Stephenson|first=Amanda|date=November 16, 2021|title=New ultra-low-cost carrier, Lynx Air, will launch from Calgary|url=https://www.cp24.com/lifestyle/travel/new-ultra-low-cost-carrier-lynx-air-will-launch-from-calgary-1.5668893|access-date=November 17, 2021|website=CP24}} The airline additionally announced it would initially operate domestic routes with plans to add international destinations later. On April 7, 2022, Lynx Air's first flights launched.{{cite web|url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/30707-lynx-air-launches-operations|title=Canada's new low-cost airline Lynx Air launches operations|last=Klisaukaite|first=Vyte|website=AeroTime Hub|date=April 8, 2022|access-date=May 19, 2022}} The airline announced its first international destinations on September 28, 2022, with flights to the United States beginning in early 2023.
On February 22, 2024, Lynx filed for creditor protection from the Court of King's Bench of Alberta and announced it would cease operations on February 26 due to financial issues,{{cite web|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/lynx-air-files-for-creditor-protection-final-flight-scheduled-for-feb-26-1.6780174|title=Lynx Air files for creditor protection, final flight scheduled for Feb. 26|last=Hunt|first=Stephen|work=CTV News|date=February 22, 2024|access-date=February 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223012156/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/lynx-air-files-for-creditor-protection-final-flight-scheduled-for-feb-26-1.6780174 |archive-date=February 23, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Dupis |first=Lily |title=Lynx Air to cease operations Monday, obtains creditor protection |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/lynx-air-creditor-protection-airlines-canada-1.7123247 |website=CBC News}} citing escalating costs and increased airport fees as contributing factors.{{Cite web |title=Lynx Air not the 1st low-cost airline to shut down. Why many have failed |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10319776/lynx-air-shutdown-low-cost-airline-failures/ |website=Global News}}{{cite web |last1=Dee |first1=Duncan |title=The demise of Lynx Air shows why low-cost carriers can’t succeed in Canada |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-demise-of-lynx-air-shows-why-low-cost-carriers-cant-succeed-in/ |website=The Globe and Mail |access-date=August 19, 2024 |date=February 28, 2024}}
Management
Merren McArthur was the airline's president and chief executive officer (CEO). She announced her departure in June 2023, but remained in her role until September 2023 to allow the company time to find her replacement.{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2023 |title=Lynx Air president and CEO Merren McArthur to step down in September|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9803140/lynx-air-president-and-ceo-merren-mcarthur-resigning/ |access-date=October 12, 2023|website=Global News }} She previously served as CEO for both Tigerair Australia and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, and founding CEO of Virgin Australia Cargo.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} Vijay Bathija was the airline's Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), with prior experience at Etihad Airways and Air Canada Rouge.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} James "Jim" Sullivan was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the airline, who was formerly Vice President of Flight Operations at JetBlue.{{cite press release|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/lynx-air-appoints-james-jim-sullivan-as-chief-operating-officer-coo--883061441.html|title=Lynx Air Appoints James "Jim" Sullivan as Chief Operating Officer (COO)|publisher=CNW Group|date=October 18, 2022|access-date=October 31, 2023}} Mike Woodward was the airline's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with previous experience in the Energy and Banking Sector. Mike has previously served as the CFO of Campus Energy Partners and Vice President of BMO Capital Markets.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
Destinations
Lynx Air flew (or planned to fly) to the following destinations by the time of its announced shutdown in February 2024. It does not include destinations solely operated to by charter flights, such as those under its previous Enerjet name.
Fleet
=Current=
File:Lynx Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 at Calgary International Airport in 2022.jpg]]
At the time of shutdown, Lynx Air operated the following aircraft:{{TCregister|1263343+ALBERTA+INC.|Lynx Air|January 12, 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left"
|+ Lynx Air former fleet |
| Aircraft
!Used !Passengers{{cite web|url=https://www.flylynx.com/en/fleet |title=Lynx Air Fleet|access-date=November 7, 2023}} !Notes |
|---|
| Boeing 737 MAX 8
|align=center|9 |align=center|17 |align=center|189 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 200
|align=center|— |align=center|20 |align=center|TBA |align=center| MAX 200, not delivered before shutdown. |
| Total
!align=center|9 !align=center|37 !colspan=2| |
=Previous=
As Enerjet, the airline previously operated the following aircraft:{{cite web|url=https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/RchHsRes.aspx?st=2&m=%7C%7C&cn=%7C%7C&mn=%7C%7C&sn=%7C%7C&cnn=%7C%7C&tn=%7CENERJET%7C&ln=%7C%7C&fn=%7C%7C&rfr2=RchHs.aspx&print=y|title=Canadian Civil Aircraft Register Historical Search|website=Transport Canada|access-date=July 14, 2022}}
| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left"
|+ Enerjet former fleet |
| Aircraft
!Total !Introduced !Retired !Notes |
|---|
| Boeing 737-700
|align=center|7 |align=center|2008 |align=center|2017 | |
| rowspan=2|Boeing 737-800
|align=center|1 |align=center|2011 |align=center|2011 |rowspan=2|Leased from Transavia. |
| align=center|1
|align=center|2013 |align=center|2014 |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
|align=center|2 |align=center|2018 |align=center|2020 | |
| Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche
|align=center|1 |align=center|2011 |align=center|2012 | |
| Airbus A320-200
|align=center|1 |align=center|2023 |align=center|2023 |Leased from Global Crossing Airlines. |
=Fleet development=
As Enerjet, the airline operated a fleet of Boeing 737-700 aircraft for its charter operations, with a single 737-800 leased from Transavia on occasion, before the 737-700s were retired by 2017. After retiring its 737-700s, Enerjet subsequently retained an inactive DHC-6 Twin Otter fleet in order to keep its AOC, while the airline underwent its subsequent transformation from chartered to scheduled operations in the coming years. When the airline eventually announced its rebranding as Lynx Air in November 2021, the airline announced that it had ordered 46 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft for delivery through 2028. In March 2022, the airline announced it had leased an additional 11 737 MAX 8s from BOC Aviation.{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fleets/boc-aviation-buys-11-737-max-8s-headed-to-canadian-start-up-lynx/147767.article|title=BOC Aviation buys 11 737 Max 8s headed to Canadian start-up Lynx|last=Waldron|first=Greg|website=FlightGlobal|publisher=DVV Media Group|date=March 2, 2022|access-date=May 19, 2022}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category-inline}}
- {{Official website}}
{{Portal bar|Canada|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Defunct airlines of Canada}}
Category:Defunct low-cost airlines of Canada
Category:Airlines established in 2006
Category:Airlines disestablished in 2024
Category:2006 establishments in Alberta
Category:2024 disestablishments in Alberta
Category:Canadian companies established in 2006
Category:Canadian companies disestablished in 2024