VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canada Jetlines Ltd. (JET: TSX-V) (the “Company” or “Jetlines”) is pleased to announce that it intends to offer ultra-low fare service to the Montréal region from Aéroport Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil (“Saint-Hubert”).
Saint-Hubert is being expanded as part of a plan to be positioned as a low-cost airport serving the Montréal area. Once the necessary expansions are complete, the airport will be able to support ULCC airlines by as early as 2020. The recently upgraded runway was one of the first milestones the airport achieved in order to become the low-cost airport of choice for the Montérégie region and the province. The runway reconstruction project was supported by the Canadian federal government who injected $13 million into the project. The airport also has plans to build a new passenger terminal building.
“We are excited to enter into this partnership with the Saint-Hubert airport and support their vision of building a low-cost alternative airport in the Montréal region. Montréal travellers deserve a low cost domestic option and those looking for low cost air travel options destined south should not have to drive across the border to Plattsburgh. The Saint-Hubert airport has our full support and we look forward to working together to design and build what will become Jetlines base in Montréal,” stated Javier Suarez, CEO. “Saint-Hubert is a short commute out of the downtown core of Montréal, and our passengers will not only benefit from ultra-low airfares, they will also have convenient access to a new purpose-built low-cost facility in Saint-Hubert near downtown Montréal.”
Mark Morabito, Executive Chairman, added, “Canada is the only G7 country without a true independent ultra low cost carrier and as a result Canadians are consistently overpaying for air travel; Jetlines is here to change that. Jetlines is committed to growing its presence in eastern Canada and Québec by partnering for the long term with Saint-Hubert airport.”
“We are delighted at the prospect of partnering with Jetlines to offer ULCC service to the Montréal and Montérégie regions. Given the renewed interest by scheduled carriers to operate at St. Hubert, we will accelerate our efforts to secure a designated airport status which will enable us to provide security screening services from the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) at an affordable rate. At the same time, our intention is to obtain customs and immigration services from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in order to offer transborder flights, which will allow us to recapture the exodus of Québec passengers who travel to US airports for their flights. These two conditions, which depend solely on federal government decisions, are necessary for us to be able to partner with air carriers of Jetlines’ caliber. We will be reaching out to Minister Marc Garneau and our elected officials to accelerate these decisions. We share the federal government’s stated goal to offer affordable and efficient services to Canadians and our partnership with Jetlines is an important step towards that goal.” said Jane Foyle, General Manager of DASH-L, the non-profit organization that manages the airport.
About Canada Jetlines Ltd.
Canada Jetlines is set to become Canada’s first true Ultra-Low Cost Carrier (ULCC) airline, with plans to operate flights across Canada and provide non-stop service from Canada to the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. The Company plans to commence operations with the Airbus A320 fleet, the most widely used aircraft for ultra-low cost carriers worldwide. Jetlines is led by a board and management team with extensive experience and expertise in low-cost airlines, start-ups and capital markets. The Company was granted an unprecedented exemption from the Government of Canada that will permit it to conduct domestic air services while having up to 49% foreign voting interests.
For more information on Jetlines, please visit our website at www.jetlines.ca.
About Aéroport Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil
Strategically located 15 minutes from downtown Montreal, Aéroport Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil has a robust airside infrastructure, a control tower and a wide offering of aviation services. DASH-L, a non-profit agency, has operated and managed the airport since September 2004. DASH-L’s objective is to develop the airport in a manner that will make air travel accessible and affordable to all.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Mark J. Morabito”
Executive Chairman
Canada Jetlines is part of the King & Bay group of companies. King & Bay is a merchant bank that specializes in identifying, funding, developing and supporting growth opportunities in the resource, aviation, and technology sectors.
For more information, please contact:
Toll Free: 1-833-226-5387
Email: investor.relations@jetlines.ca
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains “forward-looking information” concerning anticipated developments and events that may occur in the future. Forward-looking information contained in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the commencement of operations, expected operations from Saint-Hubert, the ability to offer ultra-low airfares, and the success of expected future operations of the Company.
In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or ” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the receipt of financing to commence airline operations, the accuracy, reliability and success of the Jetlines’ business model; the timely receipt of governmental approvals; the timely commencement of operations by Jetlines and the success of such operations; the legislative and regulatory environments of the jurisdictions where the Jetlines will carry on business or have operations; the impact of competition and the competitive response to the Jetlines’ business strategy; and the availability of aircraft. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.
Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks related to ability to obtain financing at acceptable terms, the impact of general economic conditions, domestic and international airline industry conditions, volatility of fuel prices, increases in operating costs, terrorism, pandemics, natural disasters, currency fluctuations, interest rates, risks specific to the airline industry, the ability of management to implement Jetlines’ operational strategy, the ability to attract qualified management and staff, labour disputes, regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits; risks related to disputes under the agreement with Boeing to acquire 737-Max aircraft, and the additional risks identified in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.