Canadian low-cost airline Lynx Air has announced that it will be ceasing operations next week as "compounding financial pressures" and "competitive tension" in the market became too much to overcome.
The airline said in an email to customers on Thursday night that it has made the decision to cease operations as of 12:01 a.m. MT on Monday, February 26, 2024, with flights continuing to operate until that time.
Come Monday, some Canadian travellers booked with the ultra-low-cost airline Lynx Air will be out of luck. Here's what to know about how the announcement is affecting travellers.
Lynx launched its inaugural flight in April 2022, operating as Canada's "ultra low-cost" carrier.
According to Lynx, the decision to end its operations was due to "financial pressures associated with inflation, fuel costs, exchange rates, cost of capital" and regulatory costs that the airline couldn't keep up with. In its email to customers, the airline said it had sought and obtained an initial order for creditor protection.
Lynx Air says it will continue to operate the majority of its flights through Sunday, February 25. If your flight is cancelled, you will be notified via email. You can also check the status of your flight online.
Passengers with bookings for travel from February 26 onward are being advised to contact their credit card company to secure refunds. Lynx Air noted online that it will not be available to assist with refunds.
What if I need to get home?
Those who are currently partway through a journey and need to get home can reach out to Lynx Air's contact centre about changing their return flight to this weekend.
In a statement, WestJet also said it was aware of Lynx's intent to cease operations and is "committed to assisting where [it] can."
The airline will be discounting all economy cabin fares on non-stop WestJet routes previously served by Lynx, for travel between February 22 and October 26, 2024, with bookings to be made up until February 29.
It will also be capping all northbound economy cabin fares on non-stop WestJet routes previously served by Lynx at $250 plus taxes and fees for travel up until February 29 on bookings made before this date.
WestJet also says that domestic fares on non-stop WestJet routes previously served by Lynx for travel up until February 29 will not exceed $500 plus taxes and fees.
What if I have a travel voucher with Lynx Air?
Unfortunately, Lynx says that travel vouchers and flight vouchers — which some travellers may have received when cancelling flights with Lynx in the past — will no longer be accepted once it ceases operations.
Narcity has reached out to Lynx Air for more information on this but has not heard back in time for publishing.
