Canadian low-cost newcomer Canada Jetlines has announced it has reached an agreement with Air Arabia Maroc for the lease of two Airbus A320 aircraft to the North African carrier.
The agreement will see the pair of narrowbodies operate on routes between North Africa and Europe for the Morocco-based carrier between mid-June and mid-September 2024 under an ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance) agreement.
The Toronto-based airline began operations in September 2022 and flies a mix of operations including scheduled passenger services, charter flights, and ACMI operations on behalf of other carriers. The airline currently operates a fleet of four A320-200s on mostly leisure-focused routes.
The airline operates flights to warm-weather destinations such as Cancun (CUN), Las Vegas (LAS), Orlando (MCO), and Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ). It also operates from Halifax (YHZ) to Toronto (YYT) and Orlando.
“Our partnership with Air Arabia Maroc marks a strategic step forward in our business plan of providing wet lease/ACMI services for reputable partners,” said Canada Jetlines CEO Eddy Doyle.
Air Arabia Maroc operates scheduled services from its main base located at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport (CMN) plus six other Moroccan airports to 41 destinations in ten countries around Europe and the Middle East. The carrier has its own fleet of nine A320-200s with an average age of 10.3 years.
On March 19, 2024, Canada Jetlines took delivery of its fourth leased Airbus A320 from Aviation Capital Group and also signed lease agreements covering the acquisition of an additional two of the type. The additional two aircraft are due to arrive with the carrier in the second quarter of 2024 in time for the ramping up of services for the northern summer of 2024.
“We are excited to partner with Aviation Capital Group and welcome this new addition to our fleet,” said Eddy Doyle at the time. “This A320-200 delivery marks a significant step in our growth strategy.”
The carrier has previously stated plans to grow its fleet to 15 aircraft by the end of next year. With the closure of WestJet’s low-cost arm Swoop in 2023, the recent failure of fellow Canadian budget carrier Lynx Airlines plus Flair Airlines continuing to face issues, there is a degree of reorganization and consolidation currently underway in the Canadian leisure market.
It will be interesting to see how this process affects Canada Jetlines – an airline that has deliberately stayed small so far but that holds aspirations to expand in what has traditionally been a difficult market sector for airlines to gain a sustainable foothold in.