Low-cost airline readies for takeoff in Edmonton

Thinking about a trip out to BC this year to visit Aunt Mabel?

Instead of anine and a half hour drive to Kamloops, Edmontonians will soon have the option of flying with Canada's newest discount airline.

• NewLeaf to offer flights to 12 Canadian cities starting July 25

NewLeaf Travel, the Winnipeg-based discount travel company that launched in January and then abruptly put its operations on hold, says it will start flying on July 25. Of the 12 Canadian cities included in its flight plan,Edmonton is the only Alberta city on the list.

According to the NewLeaf website, one-wayflights from Edmonton to six destinations will begin immediately, with tickets starting at $79.

• Moncton, N.B.$303.58
• Hamilton, Ont.$222.73
• Kamloops, B.C.$79
• Fort St. John, B.C. $79
• Abbotsford, B.C. $119
• Victoria, B.C. $89

Other cities that will be served by the airline include Halifax, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon and Kelowna.

Those rock bottom prices, though, don't include things that manypeople might want to take on a flightlike luggage and carry-on. Passengers are allowed to carry on one item that fits under the seat, but a second item will cost $30 if booked online ahead of time. If you showedup at the airport with a second carry-on item, itwill cost $80.

Also, there are also no free drinks or snacks.

Original launch delayed

The company's original launch datein January 2016 was delayedamid aCanadian Transportation Agency review of theoperatinglicencesfor indirect air service carrierslikeNewLeaf.The CTA signed off onNewLeaf'sbusiness modelin March, and now the company says it is readyto go.

But there's still one hurdle to overcome:an appeal by airline consumer advocate Gabor Lukacs of theCTA'sdecision.

NewLeafchief executive Jim Young says the company has been cleared for takeoff, and is eager to get to work.

"We're certainly not going to wait around for a single individual to decide whether or not we can fly," he said at a launch event at Winnipeg's airportThursday.