The WestJet Group has completed the integration of its ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), Swoop (Hamilton, ON), into its mainline WestJet (WS, Calgary) unit, the holding announced.
The merger allows WestJet to transition from serving the ultra-low-cost market on only 16 [former Swoop] B737s, to offering affordable travel options plus premium products across its 180-strong fleet, the airline said in a statement.
WestJet plans to use Swoop's ULCC product, including low fares of affordable vacation packages, across its narrowbody fleet. This includes densifying seating in the rear section of its B737s while retaining a premium cabin up front, providing a range of in-flight offerings from ULCC to premium on every aircraft in the fleet.
With the merger complete, Scoop formally ceased operating on October 28, with its fleet of ten B737-800s and six B737-8s joining WestJet's narrowbody fleet, now comprising forty B737-700s, thirty B737-8s, and forty-seven B737-800s.
WestJet Group set up Swoop in 2018 but is strategically integrating its subsidiaries for greater efficiencies and economies of scale. The holding has set October 2024 as the deadline for completing its integration of leisure subsidiary Sunwing Airlines (WG, Toronto Pearson).
