The Consumers’ Association of Canada has taken the highly unusual step of issuing an ‘Important Travel Alert’ against low cost airline NewLeaf.
The ‘buyer beware’ advisory cautions consumers to seriously think hard before buying a cheap airfare with the ultra low cost carrier.
"Canadians have recently been forced to deal with arbitrary cancelations and alterations to flight dates and times on thousands of tickets purchased from NewLeaf Travel Company," it said in a notice to consumers.
"It is extremely important that prospective buyers of NewLeaf tickets have an alternative plan to reach their chosen destinations and return home on time."
CAC president Bruce Cran said it was only the third time in 40 years the association has issued an advisory like this.
It says about 3,000 tickets have been refunded due to flight cancelations.
"If you want to buy a ticket to save money you should know there are consequences. Buyers of NewLeaf tickets should be asking themselves the question: ‘Does the saving of buying cheap tickets warrant the risk of being stranded.’"
NewLeaf is actually the ticket reseller and marketer of the service and doesn’t physically operate flights.
Flights are operated by partner Flair Airlines Inc.
"NewLeaf Travel Company has never been contacted by this organization. As you can see, the statement is in fact an opinion," said NewLeaf spokeswoman Julie Rempel.
