PLAY Airlines will reportedly close service to Hamilton in the spring, its only destination in Canada. This move was made just two years after its Hamilton debut.
Some travelers may be curious to know why PLAY will soon leave Canada and if the airline might close its routes in the US in the future.
PLAY Packing Up In Great White North
John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport officials have confirmed that PLAY Airlines will soon cease service to the city. The low-cost Icelandic airline makes its last flight to Hamilton on 22 April. PLAY first opened service in Hamilton in 2023.
PLAY currently flies a route between Hamilton and Reykjavik, Iceland four times a week. Reykjavik is PLAY’s hub city. Passengers can connect via Reykjavik to other European destinations like Dublin, Ireland and Paris, France.
With PLAY Airlines pulling out of Hamilton, the carrier will no longer serve any cities in Canada. This latest pullback mirrors other reductions of low cost service in Canada. Canada’s budget airline market has shrunk over the past year with Lynx Air closing down in 2024, Jetlines going out of business, and WestJet’s SWOOP subsidiary merging back into the main airline after a six year endeavor.
PLAY Airlines CEO Einar Orn Olafsson reportedly told members of the media that the airline’s hub-and-spoke model from Iceland is falling short of its financial goals, especially involving North American travelers.
Hamilton travelers can continue to book PLAY flights from Hamilton airport until 23 April. Some travelers, however, have scheduled flights with play past this date. The airline has not yet announced any refunds or alternative arrangements for flights after 23 April.
Hamilton Airport Moving On
Hamilton airport spokeswoman Colleen Ryan issued a statement to the Toronto Star about PLAY’s eventual exit:
“I can confirm that, unfortunately, PLAY Airlines will end its service from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport as of April 22, 2025. While we are disappointed with this decision, we remain confident in the future of Hamilton International.”
No word yet On How PLAY Will Alter US Service Yet
With a pointed comment by PLAY’s CEO on transatlatic service, one must wonder whether additional changes are in store for the US market.
For the time being, PLAY will continue to serve travelers in the United States from New York City, New York, Baltimore, Maryland, Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington D.C.
Credit: avgeekery.com
