NewLeaf postpones service while CTA reviews licensing regulations

NewLeaf postpones service while CTA reviews licensing regulations

WINNIPEG — NewLeaf Travel Company is temporarily postponing sales of airline tickets pending a Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) review of licensing regulations for Indirect Air Service Providers. NewLeaf will also refund all credit card transactions for reservations for flights that were scheduled to begin on Feb. 12.

“During this uncertain time, we didn’t want to put anyone with existing bookings at risk, and we wanted to give customers time to make other travel arrangements” said NewLeaf CEO Jim Young.

NewLeaf aims to resume taking reservations in the spring. “Canadians have clearly spoken that they want this type of low-cost service. The overwhelming demand for tickets shows the need for affordable travel in Canada. Hundreds of thousands of people visited the NewLeaf website when ticket sales began. Thousands made bookings,” said Young.

“The reason why we launched on Jan. 6 is because it was confirmed that we were in full compliance of CTA licensing regulations,” said Young. “The CTA gave us an exemption from holding a license directly while it reviews its legislation.” Under a charter arrangement with Kelowna-based Flair Airlines Ltd., Flair held the CTA operating license, while NewLeaf offered seat sales.

“Now there is ambiguity in the air as to whether we need to amend the relationship with our air service provider, or whether we need to have a license ourselves. While Canada has many other Indirect Air Service Providers, NewLeaf is in a unique position as we are the first large-scale IASP,” said Young. “We welcome a regulatory system in which businesses like ours can thrive in Canada as they do in other countries.

“As with any success that threatens to change the status quo, there are those that will resist that change and take any measures necessary to maintain the existing playing field, even if it is to the detriment of the vast majority and the benefit of the very few,” he added.

The CTA is reviewing whether persons who do not operate any aircraft, but market and sell air services to the public, should be required to hold agency licenses. The review applies to all persons operating in this manner and is not limited to NewLeaf’s proposed business venture with Flair Airlines Ltd. As part of its review, the Agency is consulting with, and seeking comments from, stakeholders before finalizing its approach. The consultations end Jan. 22.

Young said anyone wishing to express their opinion can do so through the CTA’s consultation: otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/consultation/consultation-requirement-hold-a-licence

Young said NewLeaf is “taking the high road in the way that is the most respecting of the consumer. As soon as the review is complete, we will make any required amendments if necessary, and resume sales as soon as possible.”

Those who made reservations are guaranteed the opportunity to re-buy their seat for the price they paid for it when NewLeaf resumes sales, he added.

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