A low-cost airline with Phoenix flights has shut down. What travelers need to know

Michael Salerno, Arizona Republic
·3 min read

A Canadian airline offering flights between Phoenix and Canada shut down on Monday, Feb. 26, just one year after launching service in Arizona.

Around this time last year, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport celebrated the arrival of Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier Lynx Air, which flew between Phoenix and its hub in Calgary, Alberta. Last October, Lynx added a flight between Phoenix and Toronto.

Now, Lynx Air no longer exists.

The budget carrier shut down on Monday, shortly after obtaining credit protection from the Court of King's Bench of Alberta. Lynx had been in business since 2022, offering low-cost flights within Canada and to U.S. Sunbelt destinations like Phoenix.

Here's what to know about why Lynx Air shut down.

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Why did Lynx Air shut down?

In a statement on its website, Lynx Air cited financial challenges as the reasons for shutting down.

"Tremendous work was put into the growth and expansion of Lynx Air over the past two years, offering a low-cost, seamless travel experience for Canadians," the statement reads.

"However, the compounding financial pressures associated with inflation, fuel costs, exchange rates, cost of capital, regulatory costs and competitive tension in the Canadian market have ultimately proven too steep a mountain for our organization to overcome."

What if I have a flight booked on Lynx Air?

Lynx Air said it would send passengers notices of their flight cancellations and contact them regarding refunds.

Funds for future travel are held in a trust account and people will receive updates as staff works to "quickly and efficiently" process refunds, according to the Lynx Air website. The carrier's call center will not be able to assist with refunds.

Can travelers rebook with another Canadian airline?

Yes. The two biggest Canadian carriers − Air Canada and WestJet − are offering low fares on routes that Lynx served.

Air Canada said it would cap fares and add more seats on its routes that Lynx formerly served, including Phoenix-Toronto. The fares will be available for flights through April 2, and Air Canada would try to add seats for flights through March 19. It warned that high demand for spring break travel would limit the airline's ability to add capacity and "flights are already relatively full."

WestJet said it would cap fares for northbound nonstop routes previously served by Lynx at $250 plus taxes and fees for travel through Thursday, Feb. 29, including Phoenix-Calgary. WestJet also is offering a 25% discount for nonstop WestJet routes previously served by Lynx through Oct. 26 using the discount code WESTJET. But fliers will have to book soon: The offer expires Thursday.

Neither airline will honor Lynx Air tickets.

Nonstop routes to Canada from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

Fliers traveling between Phoenix and Canada have other options from Sky Harbor Airport. Here's where you can fly nonstop from Phoenix to Canada:

  • Air Canada: Montreal; Toronto; Vancouver, British Columbia.

  • WestJet: Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Kelowna, British Columbia; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Vancouver; Winnipeg, Manitoba.

  • Flair Airlines: Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver.

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Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Low-cost Lynx Air shuts down, canceling all flights