WestJet announced today they have ratified the agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and as part of that agreement they will wind down their low cost carrier Swoop.
As negotiated in the collective agreement, the WestJet Group will now begin integration efforts of its ultra-low-cost airline, Swoop. Through an expedited process, the airline anticipates a full integration into its mainline operations by the end of October. To avoid traveller impact, Swoop will operate its existing network through to the end of its published schedule on October 28. Swoop employees will move to WestJet.
This marks the first casualty on the Ultra Low Cost Carrier front lines that is being fought by the likes of Flair, Lynx, Canada Jetlines and Swoop. Based on Canada’s civil aviation history this won’t be the last either. Who remembers JetsGo, Greyhound Air Zip and Zoom? All have come and gone as challengers to the Canadian majors.
The good news is Swoop isn’t an airline in their own right that is going under like those in our storied past. Swoop will simply be integrated into WestJet – sort of like Air Canada’s Tango so many years ago. The airplanes and staff will move over to WestJet and the airline promises to “offer ultra-affordable travel options through to a premium inflight experience.”
Click here to learn more about this news from WestJet
HT Andrew C on the Rewards Canada Facebook Group
Image via Swoop