Discount airline FlySarvaq changes name, delays start date by 2 weeks

FlySarvaq, a company offering seats for sale on passenger flights between Iqaluit and Ottawa at discount prices, has changed its name to GoSarvaq and will start flights on May 20. The company announced the changes in a news release Wednesday.

The company says the name change stems from a recent ruling by the Canadian Transportation Agency that defines the role of a reseller in airline regulations.

"While it has been frustrating to take things slower while waiting for this recent regulatory ruling, we are now able to move forward with bringing our affordable travel option for Nunavummiut," said Adamee Itorcheak, president of Sarvaq Logistics in the release.

FlySarvaq had been a partnership between Sarvaq Logistics and charter airline Nolinor Aviation. GoSarvaq announced Wednesday it will be working with Kelowna, B.C.-based Flair Airlines. Flair also operates the flights of national discount airline NewLeaf, Flair flies Boeing 737-400 aircraft that seat up to 156.

The company had begun selling tickets by telephone March 1. GoSarvaq says the change in airline partner comes with a new reservations system for ticket bookings and a further delay in launching its online ticket booking system.

In turn, GoSarvaq has delayed its first flight to May 20. Flights were originally scheduled to start May 6. The company says it will be contacting passengers to make flight changes.

In January, the company said it would offer seats on flights twice a week between Ottawa and Iqaluit, on Mondays and Fridays, and once a week between Iqaluit and Halifax on Fridays.