NewLeaf hoping to add more flights to, from Regina for Christmas

The newest low-cost carrier has its eye on potentially adding more flights in and out of Regina around the Christmas season.

NewLeaf recently launched out of YQR to Kelowna, which is the airline’s first and only destination from the Queen City. But it may not be its last. Adding more flights during the holiday season is something the airline is considering.

“It’s probably going to be something that we’d be looking at quite shortly. The busiest time in the year for any airline in the world is the Christmas period,” said Dean Dacko, NewLeaf’s chief commercial officer. “We’re going to want to be known as the airline who gets you home for Christmas, and that is to and from. There’s a lot of folks from Regina who have family that are all over this country.”

The colder months in general could present NewLeaf with expanded opportunities.

Dacko said the airline is focused on adding more frequency to the destinations they already have, like Regina to Kelowna. That could include travel packages and winter sun and ski programs.

“Instead of just going for one ski trip a year, you can maybe do it two or three times.”

He said they’re looking at how they can get students home more often during the winter as well. Dacko said there’s the potential of adding new flights to places like Kamloops or Hamilton.

Dacko explained the company’s success is based off of the public’s willingness to fly with the new carrier.

“The more support that we can get now, it gives us more opportunity to add more frequency and more destinations out of this market.”

The response from Canadians from coast-to-coast has been overwhelming since the company first launched according to Dacko, adding the response from Regina has ben especially good.

Representatives from NewLeaf have been checking on how things have been operating in the city. He said they’re working on promotional activities while continuing to build a connection with the community.