South Beach Casino Owners Invest in Canada’s First Ultra Low Fare Airline NewLeaf

NewLeaf Travel Company took to the air this week as Canada’s first ever ultra low fare airline, hoping to mimic the success of Europe’s Ryanair. 

"This is an incredibly exciting and long anticipated day for the NewLeaf Travel Co. and Flair Airlines," said NewLeaf chief executive officer Jim Young.

The no-frills carrier says it is focused on selling a seat and a seatbelt with fares as low as $79 one way, charging extra for carry-ons and a cup of coffee.

The company has scheduled flights to and from 11 destinations across Canada from Halifax to Victoria.

NewLeaf flights from Hamilton and Kelowna arrived Monday afternoon at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and were welcomed with water-cannon salutes.

South Beach Capital Partners, the group of seven Manitoba First Nations that owns the South Beach Casino, were announced as new investors in the airline.

"South Beach Capital Partners are excited by the opportunity to become part owners of NewLeaf and to share in its growth," said Jim Bear, Chief of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, speaking on behalf of the First Nations investment group. "We have made a significant investment that we are confident will be returned many times over. Profits can be used to improve residents' lives in our home communities, and to finance further development opportunities—both social and economic."

The existing no-frills airlines often engage in on-board advertisements as a means of deriving additional revenue.  It was not immediately clear as to whether NewLeaf Airlines will incorporate advertising of the First Nation casino brands. At the moment, the company’s website remains sparse.

First Nations runs close to two dozen land-based casinos throughout the country, including six in Manitoba.  Find more information about gambling in Canada. 

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com