New Brunswickers travelling to Florida will have a new option to get there this winter.
Flair Airlines is launching a new direct flight between Saint John and the Orlando Sanford International Airport.
It was one of 13 new sun destination routes announced by the ultra-low-cost carrier during a news conference on Tuesday.
“We know that there’s a lot of demand to get down to warm places from Saint John in the winter,” said Stephen Jones, CEO of Flair Airlines.
“We looked at what was available, where we could fit some schedule time, and the choice really made itself.”
For officials at the Saint John Airport, the first sunshine destination flight in several years is welcome news.
“It’s going to be amazing for people to be able to get away,” said Lori Carle, manager of marketing, public and corporate relations at the Saint John Airport.
“Whether it’s snowbirds or golfers or families wanting to go to theme parks or anybody who likes major sporting events.”
The winter rotation will fly once a week on Tuesdays starting Jan. 23 and continuing until April 30.
Fare prices for the non-stop direct flight will start at $59 per person and fluctuate based on demand and interest.
“We’re really hopeful that if the region is responsive to this, which I do believe they will be, that maybe they’ll add more,” said Carle. “I do think they’ll see that there is a demand for it.”
Jones suggested that could be a possibility depending on how things go over the coming months.
“When things go well, we’re going to keep on flying and adding flights. What I’d say is for people to get in, book the flight and support the flight,” he said.
“If people don’t support the flights, ultimately they don’t become sustainable and we have to change it.”
Flair Airlines currently operates three weekly flights between Saint John and the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Carle said they have been seeing “incredible” numbers, with the flights running between 85 and 95 per cent full.
“These are 737s, they hold 189 passengers, that’s a lot of people,” she said.
Air Canada also operates out of the Saint John Airport with daily flights to Toronto and Montreal.
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