On October 28th, with its final flight between Cancun and Toronto, the WestJet Group completed the integration of its low-cost subsidiary, Swoop. It seeks to serve a broader audience since, instead of catering to the low-cost market with Swoop’s 16 aircraft, the airline’s fleet of 180 aircraft will offer low-cost options.
As previously announced in June, Swoop flight WO638 took off from Toronto Pearson Airport bound for Cancun, Mexico, at 3:35 p.m. on October 28th. This flight, operated by the 737-800 with registration C-FONK, marked the last departure from its base. Furthermore, it was Swoop’s penultimate flight overall, as on the same day, the same aircraft departed from Cancun to Toronto at 7:40 p.m. Upon arriving at midnight on October 29th, the airline’s operations officially concluded. Swoop was born in June 2018 in response to Flair, its main competitor in the low-cost segment.
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Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group, commented on the matter. «As the first ultra-low-cost airline in the Canadian market, Swoop led the offering of a no-frills product and excelled in generating revenue through the sale of add-ons. By keeping costs low, it consistently offered the most competitive fares, attracting travelers from all backgrounds. With the conclusion of this integration, we aim to leverage its success and provide our passengers with a variety of offers that cater to diverse needs,» the executive stated.
Swoop’s aircraft, previously adorned in a distinctive pink, will now be repainted with WestJet’s characteristic blue and turquoise colors. WestJet is Canada’s largest low-cost airline and the second-largest overall, behind Air Canada. It boasts the country’s largest single-aisle aircraft order book. Much of its operation is based on offering a high-density economy class in the rear section of its 737s while maintaining a premium cabin in the front.
