The WestJet Group bolsters commitment to accessible air and leisure travel through integration of Sunwing Airlines and Swoop
Tour operator Sunwing Vacations to continue its independent operation, joining forces with WestJet Vacations to offer most affordable packaged tours to Canadians
The WestJet Group today confirmed future plans to provide reliable and affordable travel to a broader spectrum of guests and communities across Canada and beyond, through combining the best of every airline across the WestJet Group, including Sunwing Airlines and Swoop into one product offering.
“We are confident that the future integration of Sunwing Airlines into the WestJet Group, following that of our ultra-low-cost carrier Swoop will significantly enhance our ability to provide affordability and choice to our guests,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group, Chief Executive Officer. “The integration of all jets from Sunwing Airlines, Swoop and WestJet into one fleet will provide us with the scale to enhance our collective operational resilience, while offering more affordable fares and vacation opportunities across our entire network.”
While the integration of Swoop is anticipated to conclude by the end of October 2023, Sunwing Airlines will not start integrating before 2024 and remains business as usual at this time.
The tour operator business, Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations together will form the leading tour operator in Canada and will continue to operate independently under their existing and respective brands, as integral parts of the WestJet Group. As a result, both Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations will significantly expand vacation offerings to even more communities across its extensive network as well as offering affordable vacation packages from communities in Canada on a year-round basis, which were previously seasonal.
Furthermore, through leveraging the ultra-low fare products pioneered by Swoop and affordable vacation packages offered by Sunwing Vacations, the WestJet Group will begin providing ultra-affordable fares and increased affordable vacation packages across Canada through the entirety of its 180 aircraft.
“Competition amongst air carriers in Canada has never been healthier and after a challenging three years, aviation is back, with passenger traffic doubling in Canada since March 2022,” continued von Hoensbroech. “As the strongest airline in Western Canada and the biggest vacation provider across the entire country – the integration of Swoop and eventually Sunwing Airlines into the WestJet Group will enhance affordability and serve to increase choice for Canadians for their air travel and vacation plans.”
Q&A: Sunwing Airline Integration and Sunwing Vacations Clarification
What does the integration of Sunwing Airlines mean for the future of the Sunwing Vacations brand?
The future of the Sunwing Vacations brand remains bright. Sunwing Vacations is the leading tour operator in Canada, and this position will only be strengthened as part of the WestJet Group. Through the eventual integration of Sunwing Airlines into the WestJet Group, Sunwing Vacations will be enabled to significantly expand vacation offerings to even more communities across the WestJet Group’s extensive network.
Sunwing customers will continue to interact with and book through Sunwing Vacations as they have been doing for years, on their website at sunwing.ca, through the Sunwing app, by contacting the Sunwing Sales Centre or through their trusted local travel advisors.
Will the integration of Sunwing Airline’s into WestJet’s main operations mean higher prices and less choice for consumers?
No. The future integration of Sunwing Airlines into the WestJet Group will only serve to enhance our ability to provide increased affordability and choice to our guests. The integration of Sunwing Airlines will ultimately enhance Sunwing Vacations’ service offering, as instead of selling vacation packages with flights onboard Sunwing Airlines’ fleet on a primarily seasonal basis, the tour operator – which will maintain its independent brand – will be positioned to offer affordable vacation packages with flights across the WestJet Group’s growing fleet and expanded network on a year-round basis.
What is the difference between Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines?
Sunwing Vacations is the leading Canadian tour operator providing customers with affordable vacation packages to dozens of top-rated sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and the U.S. Sunwing Vacations offers its customers great rates and exclusive deals at 700+ top-rated resorts, the largest assortment of any tour operator in Canada.
Sunwing Airlines is an award-winning leisure carrier offering Canadians convenient direct flight service from airports across Canada to over 45 of the most popular sun destinations. Sunwing Airlines also has one of the most fuel-efficient fleets, comprised of its Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
What is the timeline for the integration of Sunwing Airlines?
Sunwing Airlines will not start integrating before 2024 and it remains business as usual at this time.
Why is WestJet integrating Sunwing Airlines?
The intention to merge Sunwing Airlines into mainline WestJet will provide the scale to enhance our collective operational resilience at the WestJet Group, while offering Canadians more affordable flights across our entire network.
