Norwegian Air becomes Hamilton’s newest low cost airline

For the second time this week, the Hamilton Airport has announced another low cost airline that will be flying out of the city, this time to Europe.

Norwegian Airlines has chosen Hamilton as its Canadian base and non-stop flights to Dublin, Ireland will be taking off from Hamilton starting in March of 2019.

“The starting price will be $279 Canadian, one way.”

Norwegian Airlines, like other low cost carriers, keep their ticket prices cheap by charging extra for checked bags, food service, and seat selection and by flying into less busy airports like Hamilton.

According to Norwegian Airlines CEO Thomas Ramdaho, “Its a medium size airport. Its much more efficient for us as an airline.”

The cheapest flight from Pearson Airport to Dublin is currently $380. With one layover, offered by Wow Air, and you’ll still have to pay for bags.

The days of four course meals, spacious powder rooms and luggage galore are over.

Travel experts, like Pam Dehaan from Tripcentral, say if you want to get somewhere cheap no frills airlines are the way to go.

“This is just going to bring a whole new crowd of people that haven’t been able to travel before, and they’ll be able to travel now.”

Earlier this week the new airline Swoop made Hamilton its hub as well, offering flights across Canada for discount prices. For example, a flight from Hamilton to Edmonton on June 25th with one checked bag will cost you $325 with Swoop, $609 with Westjet and $599 with Air Canada -but with 2 layovers.

“Adding this new product that’s affordable will actually create demand.”

We’ve seen this before. In 2016 New Leaf was branded Hamilton’s low cost carrier but problems quickly arose. Thousands of cancelled flights leaving passengers stranded. The company is now merged with Flair Air.

Despite Hamilton’s rocky history with low cost carriers, travel experts and the airport are optimistic that offering cheaper ways to travel will be good for business and for passengers.