Swoop adds five new direct flights to hotspots

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This article was published 14/11/2019 (1621 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Swoop, WestJet’s ultra low-cost carrier, has added five destinations to its Winnipeg service offering, starting with a flight to Orlando, Fla., that flew out of Winnipeg Friday morning.

The Calgary-based airline that has been operating since June 2018, will offer scheduled direct flights from Winnipeg to Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, Los Cabos, Mexico, as well as Orlando.

Starting in December, it will offer seasonal flights to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Mesa, Ariz.

Swoop president Steven Greenway said introducing so many new destinations in a matter of days is rarely seen in the airline industry.

“Very few airlines will open five new destinations within three days,” he said. “That’s how committed we are (to Winnipeg). But it really hinges on public acceptance. Are they going to embrace the fare and Swoop?”

He said depending on the response, the airline plans to layer on even more destinations next summer and then the following winter season as well.

Greenway said the average fares are “less than $100 all in,” but a quick search on Swoop’s website for fares from Winnipeg to some of its new southern destinations show only a few opportunities for $95 one-way fares, with the vast majority of the listed fares posted as much more than $100.

Regardless of individual fares that are available, the addition of new Swoop destinations means greater selection for Winnipeg travellers, something that has been a chronic challenge for the local market.

“Winnipeg Richardson International Airport travellers now have more options to explore North America thanks to Swoop,” said Barry Rempel, president and CEO, Winnipeg Airports Authority. “Swoop recognizes the demand in this market for ultra low-cost air travel and WAA is pleased our partnership continues to evolve with the addition of these new routes.”

Greenway said Winnipeg travellers have embraced Swoop’s offering maybe a little more enthusiastically than in some of its other domestic hubs.

“Travel patterns are not unique in Winnipeg but I think what is unique here is that people are really wanting choice,” he said. “There is probably more choice at other airports. As a new entrant coming in and offering opportunities to go (to a larger number of direct destinations), people are embracing it a lot quicker than we would see in other markets.”

Swoop also flies direct from Winnipeg to Edmonton, Abbotsford, B.C., and Hamilton and has seasonal flights to Kelowna. The airline also operates out of London, Ont., and Halifax.

Swoop is part of a new contingent of ultra low-cost carriers that is trying to break into the Canadian market. That includes Flair Airlines, which originally started its operations based out of Winnipeg. Flair and Swoop have both had their challenges. Swoop cancelled a number of flights out of Hamilton last summer and Flair had to drop some routes entirely.

Two more ultra low-cost carriers have been in the works for some time. Canada Jetlines and Enerjet have both said they hope to take off this year, but have been forced to push back launch dates in the past.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca