Icelandic LCC PLAY Launches Daily Flights From YHM(1)

Image: Hamilton city councillors Tammy Hwang (far left), and Mark Tadeson (second left) joins PLAY airlines’ CEO Birgir Jónsson (middle left), Cole Horncastle, executive managing director, YHM (middle right), Cathie Puckering, vice president and head, Canadian Network Vantage Airport Group (right) and Ed Minich, board of director, YHM (far right) to cut the ribbon introducing the inaugural flight to Canadian travellers. (PLAY)
Image: Hamilton city councillors Tammy Hwang (far left), and Mark Tadeson (second left) joins PLAY airlines’ CEO Birgir Jónsson (middle left), Cole Horncastle, executive managing director, YHM (middle right), Cathie Puckering, vice president and head, Canadian Network Vantage Airport Group (right) and Ed Minich, board of director, YHM (far right) to cut the ribbon introducing the inaugural flight to Canadian travellers. (PLAY)
Bruce Parkinson
by Bruce Parkinson
Last updated: 7:52 AM ET, Mon June 26, 2023

Low-cost Icelandic airline PLAY took to the skies last Thursday on its inaugural flight from Hamilton's John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.

The flight marked the commencement of daily trips to Iceland and Europe. Toronto/Hamilton is PLAY's first destination in Canada and adds a fifth route in North America, joining New York, Washington, Boston and Baltimore.

Operating with a fleet of ten Airbus A320/321neo aircraft, PLAY has a very young fleet, with an average age of around two years. By leveraging Iceland as a hub, PLAY says it is able to provide affordable flights between Europe and North America. The airline achieved an 87% On-Time Performance rating in the month leading up to its inaugural flight to Toronto.

"Our inaugural flight out of Toronto is a tremendous milestone for PLAY," said Birgir Jónsson, CEO, PLAY. "We have invested significant effort into launching this destination, and I am immensely proud to witness the hard work of my PLAY colleagues coming to fruition. Wherever we operate, we strive to provide the most competitive prices. By challenging the competition in Toronto, we aim to benefit the residents of the area by offering an affordable means of travel to Iceland and beyond into Europe."

"We are excited to have PLAY join Hamilton International Airport network and bring connectivity to over 26 exciting European destinations, via Iceland," said Cole Horncastle, executive managing director, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.

"PLAY's low-cost 'pay for what you need' model aligns perfectly with Hamilton International's commitment to bring more travel options and affordable airfares to passengers in Southern Ontario and continue to drive economic benefits for the City and the region," Horncastle added.

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