Residents from Osoyoos – and across the South Okanagan – will soon be able to fly from Kelowna International Airport to major markets across Canada for dirt-cheap prices.

That’s because low-cost direct flights from Kelowna to new Canadian markets will soon be available.

Last week, NewLeaf, billed as Canada’s newest, ultra-low-cost travel company, officially announced new direct flights out of Kelowna with direct flights to Abbotsford, Hamilton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg and Halifax, none of which are currently served out of Kelowna International Airport.

NewLeaf plans to revolutionize the Canadian travel market with what they call ultra-low-fares. Introductory one-way fares from Kelowna to Saskatoon and Regina are $89, while Kelowna to Winnipeg is $99 and between Kelowna and Hamilton is $149.

“It’s a new year and we are happy to say 2016 is the year we officially bring affordable travel back to Canada,” said Jim Young, president and CEO of the NewLeaf Travel Company.

Initial departures will begin Feb. 12 and customers can now book flights on the company’s web site at www.flynewleaf.ca.

The arrival of NewLeaf in Kelowna has been in the planning stages for a long time.

Last January, five B.C. ski resorts including Big White in Kelowna, Silver Star in Vernon and Sun Peaks partnered with NewLeaf to provide a one-time charter flight at spring break from Hamilton to Kelowna.

According to NewLeaf management, the low rates will be achieved through cost-saving measures, including their focus on smaller airports as well as a simpler point-to-point network.

Customers will be able to customize their travel by paying extra for such things as purchasing priority boarding, on-board drinks, snacks, carry-on and checked baggage.

“Most of our main routes feature non-stop flights that aren’t currently offered,” said Young. “The ultra-low-cost business model we are using has proven successful around the world and we’re excited to bring it to Canada.”

NewLeaf is based out of Winnipeg and simultaneous press conferences were held in Kelowna, Winnipeg and Hamilton last Thursday afternoon.

NewLeaf will take to the air on Feb. 12 with a network of seven cities, including Winnipeg, Halifax, Regina, Saskatoon, Kelowna, Abbotsford and Hamilton.

“We’re in this thing for the long run,” said CEO Jim Young.

NewLeaf won’t initially be offering daily service and will be flying to the other six destinations outside of Kelowna two or three times per week.

NewLeaf will start out with two aircraft, a pair of 156-seat 737-400s, which are owned by its partner, Kelowna-based Flair Airlines. The plan is to grow to three planes within the first month and then to four by the summer, said Young.

Within three years, Young’s goal is to have a fleet of 15 planes.

“A lot of our cost model is about turning the airplane (around) faster,” said Young. “You can board a plane our size in over an hour when everybody is hauling their bag on and trying to shove it (in the overhead compartment). We can offer lower fares by flying the airplane longer every day.

“In order to do that, we need to turn the airplane (around) at our stations inside of 30 to 40 minutes. The only way to do that when you’re loading 156 people is to make sure you’re getting them on and off as efficiently as possible.”

Cost savings will also be realized by avoiding travel agents and other third-party bookers he said.

You will only be able to book a ticket on NewLeaf by visiting its website, flynewleaf.ca, which will bypass the global distribution system that travel agents use and which charges about $5 per leg of a trip.

That could mean adding up to $30 for a return trip, Young said.

The arrival of NewLeaf makes Canada the last of the G-20 countries to have an ultra-low-cost carrier.

NewLeaf has hired a small handful of people for its Winnipeg head office and as the number of planes flying out of the city grows, that will increase as well.

Young said there will eventually be 750 people based out of Kelowna, including administrative staff, pilots, flight attendants and mechanics.

Once NewLeaf is established in the domestic market, it plans to branch out to offer flights to the Caribbean and other sunny destinations, he said.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times