Discount airline NewLeaf set for first flight Monday out of Hamilton

After a rocky and uncertain start, discount airline NewLeaf has its first flights on Monday, July 25, and one of them will be departing from Hamilton. The other inaugural flights depart from Winnipeg and Kelowna.

Furthermore, NewLeaf's first sold-out flightalso leaves from Hamilton on July 29. That plane is heading to Moncton.

"We are thrilled that NewLeaf's first 'sold out' flight is from Hamilton," said Lauren Yaksich, director of marketing and communications at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.

The airport believes there is a market for low cost carriers in Canada, and that itisstrategically positioned to facilitate it. The fact that the first flight to sell out leaves from Hamilton, it says, is strong evidence of this.

The Greater Moncton International Airport shares that enthusiasm. Itsaysit'sexcited to see the community embracing the low-cost air travel option.

"We know this is what Canadians want; we listened and delivered," said NewLeaf CEO Jim Young. "And the result is sold-out planes."

NewLeafheld an official launch in January, including a splashy event in Hamilton. But shortly after, the company encountered problems.

The airline was delayed as theCanadian Transportation Agency(CTA)conducted a review ofthelicensing requirements of so-calledindirect air service carriers like NewLeaf.

As a result of the delay,NewLeafrefunded all ticketssold and suspended operations until it could sort out theregulatory turbulence. The CTA eventually gave the carrier the all clear in March.

Earlier this month, some consultants also told CBC News they're owed thousands in fees.

"I am concerned that passengers will lose money," said Gabor Lukacs, the airline consumer advocate.

Flights booked through NewLeaf are operated by Flair Airlines, a licensed Canadian company with pilots flying Boeing 737-400 passenger jets.