WestJet boosts affordable vacation packages, winter schedule 

The WestJet Group says it will begin providing ultra-affordable fares and increase the number of affordable vacation packages across Canada as the Calgary-based airline finishes integrating its low-cost carriers Swoop and Sunwing.

The company said the reduced schedule as a result of the integration is a “temporary measure required as the airline continues to responsibly execute the incorporation of Swoop’s highly successful business model into WestJet.” 

The winding down of Swoop caused the cancellation of all August, September and October flights from Hamilton to Las Vegas earlier this month.

“Hamilton was integral to Swoop’s success and remains a valuable part of the WestJet Group’s future,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, in a statement today (July 31). “As we work through this transitionary period, WestJet’s service from Hamilton will be centered on our strategic focus of providing non-stop domestic connectivity to Western Canada and the sun destinations we know our guests rely on us for to escape the winter cold.”

The airline’s enhanced Hamilton winter schedule includes the following:

• Trips to Cancun three times a week starting Nov. 25
• Trips to Punta Cana three times a week starting Nov. 26
• Trips to Orlando three times a week starting Nov. 24
• Trips to Tampa Bay three times a week starting Nov. 24.

Moreover, WestJet will also provide non-stop connectivity between Hamilton and Calgary, four times a week year-round. With Calgary as its global hub, it said travellers from Hamilton will have “seamless access to travel across Canada, the United States, Central America, Europe and Tokyo.”  

“We sincerely value our strong partnership with Hamilton International Airport and the Hamilton community who have strongly supported both WestJet and Swoop over the years,” said Weatherill in a statement. “We remain unwaveringly committed to engaging with local stakeholders and community members to expand and reposition our investments to best serve the city, for years to come.”

Also, Sunwing Airlines, which the WestJet Group acquired in May, will have an extensive winter schedule, WestJet Group announced. WestJet and Sunwing will provide eight non-stop routes from Hamilton to popular sun destinations in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean this winter including, Cayo Coco, Holguin, Varadero.

The WestJet Group said it is integrating its ultra-low-cost subsidiary Swoop into one product offering under the WestJet brand. The move is aimed at providing “reliable and affordable travel to a broader spectrum of guests and communities across Canada and beyond,” the airline explained in a press release Monday.