CanJet
Defunct Canadian low-cost and charter airline.
Last updated August 22, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
CanJet was a Canadian airline established in 1999 as a division of IMP Group International. Headquartered in Enfield, Nova Scotia, and based at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, it began flying in September 2000. The airline initially pursued scheduled passenger service, but its business model changed substantially over time as the Canadian market became increasingly competitive and scheduled operations produced narrow margins. CanJet's first operating phase was brief. In May 2001, it merged with Canada 3000 shortly before that airline entered bankruptcy. CanJet was relaunched as an independent carrier on June 20, 2002, beginning with service to three destinations and expanding during the following years. Its scheduled fleet was built principally around Boeing 737-500 aircraft, supplemented by a Boeing 737-300. Several of the 737-500s had previously been operated by United Airlines, while one had been operated by Sabena. The airline planned a larger fleet but did not achieve the proposed expansion to 20 Boeing 737-500s. During its scheduled-airline period, CanJet attempted to build a national network while responding to changes among Canadian competitors. It opened service at Hamilton/John C. Munro International Airport in April 2004 after WestJet shifted its eastern Canadian hub toward Toronto Pearson. In May 2005, it added a Calgary–Toronto route and explored expansion into western Canada. The company also announced service from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale in August 2005. Competition remained intense, however. CanJet withdrew from Hamilton in June 2005 after Air Canada Jazz announced new services from the airport to Montreal and Ottawa. In May 2006, CanJet and Harmony Airways entered a marketing arrangement intended to make cross-country travel easier by allowing customers to book combined itineraries and transfer luggage between the two airlines. On September 5, 2006, CanJet announced that it would end all regularly scheduled flights effective September 10 and concentrate on charter flying. The company cited the competitive conditions of the Canadian airline industry and the limited profit margins associated with year-round scheduled service. Passengers holding tickets for later dates were offered refunds or alternative travel arrangements. CanJet subsequently rebuilt part of its workforce after securing charter business with Sunquest. It later developed a major relationship with Transat AT: beginning May 1, 2009, Transat Tours Canada chartered CanJet Boeing 737 aircraft from Canadian cities to holiday destinations, replacing an earlier arrangement with WestJet. The brand's later identity was therefore primarily that of a contract and holiday charter operator. It flew charter services under its own name and on behalf of tour operators and other airlines in Canada and the United States. In 2014, it also introduced CanJet Vacations, a holiday-package business intended to complement its aviation operations. The venture encountered weak demand. In April 2015, CanJet reduced its flight staff by approximately half, abandoned planned summer European flying, and planned to park five of its six aircraft after the end of its cooperation with Air Transat and disappointing holiday-package sales. The CanJet Vacations operation was discontinued after roughly ten months. On September 1, 2015, CanJet announced that it was ceasing flight operations indefinitely and with immediate effect. Its corporate website subsequently became unavailable.
History
CanJet was created in 1999 within IMP Group International and began flying on September 5, 2000. Its original concept was a Canadian low-cost airline offering scheduled passenger service. The business entered a significant transition in 2001, when it merged with Canada 3000 shortly before Canada 3000's bankruptcy. CanJet was subsequently relaunched as an independent airline on June 20, 2002. The relaunched carrier initially served three destinations and expanded its network during the next several years. Its principal aircraft were Boeing 737-500s, most of which had previously flown with United Airlines, together with a Boeing 737-300. The fleet consisted of relatively mature narrow-body aircraft suited to short- and medium-haul routes. CanJet considered expanding the 737-500 fleet to 20 aircraft by 2006, but the planned growth did not occur. CanJet's scheduled strategy was shaped by competition and by the changing structure of Canadian domestic aviation. In April 2004, it started service at Hamilton/John C. Munro International Airport after WestJet moved its eastern Canadian hub toward Toronto Pearson. In May 2005, CanJet added a Calgary–Toronto service as part of an attempt to develop a western Canadian presence. It also announced a Toronto–Fort Lauderdale route later that year. The company sought opportunities created by the bankruptcy of Jetsgo, but stated that it intended to expand cautiously. Competitive pressure nevertheless continued. After Air Canada Jazz announced new Hamilton flights to Montreal and Ottawa, CanJet announced that it would leave Hamilton service in June 2005. In May 2006, CanJet and Harmony Airways agreed to a marketing arrangement designed to extend their combined geographic reach. Customers could book itineraries involving both airlines, with baggage transferred between the carriers. The arrangement was short-lived as a foundation for CanJet's scheduled network. On September 5, 2006, the airline announced the cancellation of all scheduled services effective September 10. Management attributed the decision to the intense competition in the Canadian airline market and the low profit margins of year-round scheduled flying. Customers with later bookings were to receive refunds or alternative travel arrangements. The company then concentrated on charter and contract flying. It regained charter work for Sunquest and announced the rehiring of more than 100 pilots and flight attendants in September 2006. CanJet operated flights for tour operators and other airlines, including both planned holiday charters and ad hoc assignments. This model made the airline less dependent on maintaining a broad year-round scheduled network. In February 2009, CanJet announced a five-year partnership with Transat AT. From May 1 of that year, Transat Tours Canada chartered CanJet's Boeing 737 aircraft from Canadian cities to a range of vacation destinations, replacing an earlier agreement with WestJet. CanJet also provided a recognizable onboard service. Its standard offering included hot meals on most flights, non-alcoholic beverages, coffee and tea, and, on applicable flights, wine or sparkling wine. Some food, alcoholic drinks, comfort kits, and entertainment headsets were available for purchase, with service varying by route. The airline experienced a major security incident on April 19, 2009, when an armed man boarded CanJet Flight 918 at Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport after bypassing security. The passengers were released early, but six crew members were held for several hours. Jamaican police ultimately stormed the aircraft after negotiations that included Prime Minister Bruce Golding. In 2014, CanJet expanded into holiday packaging with CanJet Vacations. The business did not generate the expected demand. In April 2015, the company reduced its flight staff by approximately half, cancelled planned summer European operations, and planned to park five of its six aircraft. These measures followed the end of the Air Transat cooperation and insufficient sales of the vacation-package business. CanJet Vacations was discontinued after approximately ten months. On September 1, 2015, CanJet announced the immediate and indefinite cessation of flight operations. The company is therefore regarded as a defunct Canadian airline.
- 2015
Flight operations cease
[1]CanJet announced the indefinite and immediate cessation of flight operations on September 1.
- 2014
CanJet Vacations launches
[1]The airline began selling holiday packages under the CanJet Vacations brand.
- 2009
Transat charter partnership begins
[1]Transat Tours Canada began chartering CanJet aircraft under a five-year partnership announced in February.
- 2006
Scheduled operations end
[1]The airline cancelled regularly scheduled services and shifted its focus to charter flying.
- 2004
Hamilton service begins
[1]CanJet launched services at Hamilton/John C. Munro International Airport.
- 2002
Independent relaunch
[1]CanJet resumed operations as an independent airline on June 20, 2002.
- 2001
Merger with Canada 3000
[1]CanJet merged with Canada 3000 shortly before Canada 3000 entered bankruptcy.
- 2000
Commercial operations begin
[1]The airline began operating on September 5, 2000.
- 1999
CanJet is established
[1]CanJet was established as a division of IMP Group International.
Products and positioning
Initially positioned as a Canadian low-cost scheduled airline, CanJet later focused on leisure, contract, and ad hoc charter aviation after withdrawing from scheduled service in 2006.
Airline service · 2000
Scheduled passenger flights
CanJet's initial and relaunched business included scheduled passenger service within Canada and to selected destinations in the United States. The network expanded during the early and mid-2000s but was discontinued in September 2006 because of competitive pressure and limited margins.
Charter airline service · 2006
Leisure and contract charter flights
After 2006, charter flying became CanJet's core activity. The airline operated flights under its own brand and on behalf of tour operators, airlines, and other contracting customers. Services included planned holiday charters and ad hoc assignments from Canadian cities to leisure destinations.
Holiday packages · 2014
CanJet Vacations
CanJet Vacations packaged air travel and holidays under the CanJet name. Introduced in 2014 to complement the airline's charter business, the offering was withdrawn after approximately ten months because demand was substantially below expectations.
Passenger amenities
Onboard catering and comfort services
CanJet generally provided hot meals, non-alcoholic drinks, coffee, and tea on its flights, with wine or sparkling wine on applicable services. Food on some United States routes, alcoholic beverages, comfort kits, and entertainment headsets were available under different paid or complimentary arrangements.
Marketing campaigns
- 2009Transat AT charter partnership
Canada · International leisure destinations
CanJet announced a five-year partnership with Transat AT under which Transat Tours Canada chartered CanJet Boeing 737 aircraft from Canadian cities to vacation destinations.
Outcome. The agreement replaced an earlier charter arrangement with WestJet and became a central part of CanJet's post-2006 charter strategy.
- 2006Harmony Airways marketing pact
Canada
CanJet and Harmony Airways created a marketing arrangement intended to improve cross-country connectivity. Customers could book travel involving both airlines and have baggage transferred between their services.
Outcome. The arrangement accompanied CanJet's later decision to focus more heavily on Atlantic and charter flying rather than maintain a broad scheduled network.
Brand decisions
2015
Retrenchment and cessation of operationsStrategyBackground
The end of the Air Transat cooperation and weak demand for CanJet Vacations reduced the airline's planned flying requirements.
Action taken
CanJet cut approximately half of its flight staff, cancelled planned summer European operations, planned to park five of six aircraft, and later ceased flying indefinitely.
Aftermath
The airline announced the immediate cessation of flight operations on September 1, 2015, and became defunct.
2014
Launch of CanJet VacationsProduct launchBackground
CanJet sought to extend its charter-airline business into the sale of complete holiday packages.
Action taken
The company introduced holiday packages marketed under the CanJet Vacations name.
Aftermath
The operation was shut down after approximately ten months because sales were much lower than expected.
2006
Shift from scheduled service to charter operationsStrategyBackground
CanJet faced intense competition in the Canadian airline market and low profit margins in year-round scheduled operations.
Action taken
The airline cancelled all regularly scheduled services effective September 10, 2006, and redirected its business toward charter flying.
Aftermath
CanJet resumed selected staffing after recovering Sunquest charter work and subsequently built relationships with tour operators and Transat Tours Canada.
Recent events
- 2015
CanJet cuts staff and scales back planned flying[1]
Bankruptcy
CanJet laid off approximately half of its flight staff, cancelled planned summer European operations, and prepared to park five of its six aircraft after the end of its Air Transat cooperation and weak CanJet Vacations sales.
- 2015
CanJet ends flight operations[1]
Bankruptcy
CanJet announced on September 1, 2015, that it was ceasing flight operations indefinitely and effective immediately.
- 2014
CanJet launches CanJet Vacations[1]
Product launch
CanJet began selling holiday packages under the CanJet Vacations name alongside its charter-airline activities.
- 2009
CanJet and Transat AT announce a five-year charter partnership[1]
M&A
CanJet announced a five-year partnership with Montreal-based Transat AT. From May 1, 2009, Transat Tours Canada chartered CanJet Boeing 737 aircraft from Canadian cities to holiday destinations.
- 2009
Armed takeover of CanJet Flight 918 in Jamaica[1]
Other
On April 19, an armed man who bypassed security at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay boarded CanJet Flight 918. Passengers were released early, while six crew members remained hostage for several hours before Jamaican police ended the incident after negotiations.
- 2006
CanJet withdraws from scheduled flying[1]
Other
CanJet announced that it would cancel all regularly scheduled services from September 10, 2006, and concentrate on charter operations because of competition and weak scheduled-airline margins.
- 2006
CanJet secures a Sunquest charter contract and recalls staff[1]
Leadership change · Other
After reducing its scheduled operation, CanJet announced that it would rehire more than 100 pilots and flight attendants following the recovery of a charter contract with Sunquest.
- 2002
CanJet is relaunched as an independent airline[1]
Product launch
Following its merger with Canada 3000 and that carrier's subsequent bankruptcy, CanJet resumed operations as an independent airline on June 20, 2002.
- 2000
CanJet begins airline operations[1]
Product launch
CanJet, established as an IMP Group division in 1999, began operating flights on September 5, 2000.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/canjet · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled