Canadian low-cost carriers announce route launches from six combined cities

MIAMI – Canadian low-cost carriers Flair and Sunwing Airlines both announced last week that they will enter the Miami market beginning this winter, with Flair launching service from Miami International Airport to Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto in December, and Sunwing scheduling a total of 10 weekly flights from to Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto and Ottawa starting in November and December. Edmonton, Quebec City, Ottawa and Winnipeg mark new routes for MIA, which will bring its total number of Canadian non-stop destinations to six.

Travelers arriving from Montreal and Toronto will pre-clear with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in those destinations and arrive at MIA as domestic passengers. Flair and Sunwing will become MIA’s eighth and ninth and low-cost carriers, and will help serve more than 700,000 annual passengers between Miami and Canada.

“I am pleased to congratulate Flair and Sunwing Airlines on their upcoming expansions into Miami-Dade County,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “We look forward to increasing our community’s ties with Canada, as we will soon welcome new visitors from four new Canadian cities, as well as additional passengers from Montreal and Toronto.”

Sunwing, which serves over 45 destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Florida, will utilize 189-seat Boeing 737-800 NG and recently acquired 737-800 Max aircraft on the new routes. Last month, Sunwing received the Consumer Choice Award in the Greater Toronto Area in the category of Best Charter Airline and Vacation Provider for the fifth consecutive year. Established in 1987, the Consumer Choice Award is the only organization in Canada to conduct independent market research surveys to determine brand reputation and customer satisfaction.

“We proudly welcome Flair and Sunwing to the Miami service area,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Lester Sola. “South Florida residents can now choose from multiple options for travel to Canada.”