Summary
- Canada Jetlines has taken delivery of its third aircraft, an Airbus A320, marking its first delivery in over a yr and signaling its gradual expansion phase.
- The newly acquired aircraft is the oldest in Canada Jetlines’ fleet and can undergo cabin reconfigurations before its first industrial flight in over three years.
- The airline can be working on obtaining its European Third Country Operator certificate, expected to be accomplished on this third quarter.
Ultra-low-cost carrier Canada Jetlines is on a gradual expansion phase because it has recently taken delivery of its third fleet member, an Airbus A320 aircraft, which was provided by aircraft lessor Global Aviation. This marks the first-ever delivery for Canada Jetlines in over a yr, with a second narrowbody delivery currently within the works.
Welcoming C-GJLH to the Jetlines’ fleet!
The brand new fleet addition is registered C-GJLH (MSN 3460), a 15-year-old Airbus A320-200 that first flew as N636VA for Virgin America in April 2008. The narrowbody was nicknamed Airplane 2.0 and flew committedly with the low-cost carrier until it was acquired by Alaska Airlines in 2018. Keeping the identical registration but without the nickname, the aircraft was reconfigured and flew for its latest owner until the pandemic struck.
Photo: Canada Jetlines
Preparing for a greater third quarter
For the second quarter of this yr, when the low-cost carrier was only operating with two Airbus A320s, Canada Jetlines reported a major increase in flight hours and passenger demand owing to the height summer season – with the full block hours equating to 1,518 throughout the quarter. In comparison with the 571 hours flown on this yr’s first quarter, it was a rise of about 265%.
Now that the airline has a 3rd aircraft in its fleet, Canada Jetlines stays optimistic that the third quarter will likely be significantly higher as it’s going to soon offer higher capacities, especially now that the airline has obtained its foreign Air Operator Certificate from the Jamaican government. With this certificate, the airline is chartering flights to Greenland this summer, and a 3rd Airbus A320 definitely helps.
Canada Jetlines can be within the means of obtaining its European Third Country Operator certificate, which is anticipated to be accomplished on this quarter. With the TCO, the airline can bid on wet lease contracts for next yr’s European summer season to further enhance capacities and expand its route network.
Photo: The Daring Bureau | Shutterstock
Bottom line
With a brand new fleet addition and a prospective third quarter, the budget carrier can be busily within the means of trying to find or acquiring its fourth Airbus A320. Even though it’s likely too early to inform if the airline already has a watch for a narrowbody, having a second aircraft delivery this yr could be slightly swell for the general growth of Canada Jetlines.