Air Canada Steps In with Fare Caps and Additional Seats for Lynx Air Passengers

In response to the imminent shutdown of low-cost carrier Lynx Air, Air Canada has announced a strategic move to cap fares and add 6,000 seats across select markets. This initiative aims to provide Lynx Air passengers with affordable travel options within Canada, to the US, and Cancun, Mexico, facilitating their return home or the reorganization of their winter travel plans.

Scheduled to be accessible for purchase until 26 February—the day Lynx Air will cease its operations—these special fares are designed to cover critical travel periods including the March school break and Easter, traditionally times for Canadian families to seek warmer climates.

Air Canada's decision to bolster capacity on key Lynx routes, such as flights from Toronto and Montreal to Cancun and various US destinations like Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, reflects a period from 25 February to 19 March. This move comes at a time when the airline acknowledges its limited capacity to expand further due to the already high demand for winter holiday travel.

Meanwhile, WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, has also introduced a 25% discount on economy fares for routes previously operated by Lynx, effective from 22 February to 26 October, demonstrating the industry's collective effort to support affected passengers.

The announcement from Lynx Air earlier that day highlighted the carrier's struggle against several industry challenges, including surging jet fuel prices, the impact of the Boeing 737 Max grounding, and the ongoing repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. These factors contributed to the airline's decision to file for creditor protection in Canada and to prepare for an organized cessation of operations, despite ongoing discussions about a possible merger with Flair Airlines.

As Lynx Air navigates through its final days, the commitment from Air Canada and WestJet to assist stranded passengers showcases the broader aviation community's resilience and adaptability in the face of unforeseen disruptions.