Even as parent company the WestJet Group announced more flight cancellations in March due to pandemic restrictions this week, subsidiary Swoop said it is sharpening its growth curve with plans to increase its fleet to 16 aircraft from 10 beginning this summer.
The acquisition of six new Boeing MAX-8 aircraft will enable the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) to meet peak season travel demand, says the airline, which will also significantly expand its domestic network, adding non-stop flights to Newfoundland and increasing service in Atlantic Canada.
The ULCC will also add six new routes and capacity in Ontario and the Prairies in preparation for Canada’s busy summer travel season.
The airline’s expansion comes as Swoop reports significantly increased passenger numbers and record bookings domestically.
“We saw demand for travel return in a very meaningful way over the holidays, signalling that Canadians are ready to reunite with family and friends,” says Bert van der Stege, Head of Commercial & Finance, Swoop. “The acquisition of six new aircraft in response to anticipated demand will ensure Swoop reconnects more Canadians this summer while accelerating Canada’s economic recovery.”
The expansion will bring Swoop’s total non-stop domestic routes served to 37 this summer and includes a significant investment in Atlantic Canada:
Newfoundland and Labrador
• Deer Lake – Hamilton, 2x weekly (May 21)
• St. John’s – Hamilton, 5x weekly (June 13)
• Deer Lake – Toronto, 2x weekly (June 20)
New Brunswick
• Moncton – Hamilton – 4x weekly (May 9)
• Saint John – Toronto – 4x weekly (May 12)
• Moncton – Edmonton – 2x weekly (May 9)
Prince Edward Island
• Charlottetown – Hamilton – 4x weekly (May 1)
• Charlottetown – Toronto – 3x weekly (May 2)
• Charlottetown – Edmonton – 2x weekly (May 1)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Halifax – Edmonton – 5x weekly (May 1)
• Halifax – Ottawa – Daily (June 19)
The network expansion will also includes new route and increased frequencies in previously announced new stations: Ottawa, Saskatoon and Regina.
Ontario
• Ottawa – Winnipeg – 4x weekly (June 19)
• Winnipeg – Toronto – Daily (June 20)
Saskatchewan
• Saskatoon – Winnipeg – 2x weekly (June 14)
• Saskatoon – Toronto – 2x weekly (June 22)
• Regina – Winnipeg – 2x weekly (June 16)
• Regina – Toronto – 2x weekly (June 22)
Launched in 2018, Swoop carried one million passengers in 2021 despite reduced demand during the pandemic. In preparation for its growth and network expansion, the airline says it is ramping up staffing across Canada, helping to create jobs to support economic recovery in Canada and stimulating hospitality and tourism sectors from coast-to-coast.