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Over the weekend, Swoop, Canada’s ultra-low-fare airline and subsidiary of WestJet Airlines Ltd., announced that it has carried two million travellers since its first flight took off in June 2018. To commemorate this milestone achievement, Swoop presented an unsuspecting guest with a round-trip flight to anywhere Swoop flies. The lucky traveller, Travis Pickering, was surprised by Swoop on-board a flight from Edmonton International Airport (EIA) to McCarran International Airport with his wife and two children.
“Reaching this milestone of having flown two million travellers in this short time frame affirms the need for Canadians to have affordable air travel options,” said Shane Workman, head of flight operations, Swoop. “Swoop is humbled for the opportunity to be part of so many Canadians’ travel plans. Whether they were travelling to visit family, take a vacation or for business, we are honoured that Swoop has been the airline of choice for two million travellers.”
Since its launch, Swoop’s network has grown to serve 14 domestic, 10 transborder and four international markets, rapidly expanding the airline’s network across North America. Fulfilling a need in the Canadian marketplace, Swoop continues to impact the aviation industry, becoming Canada’s leading domestic, transborder and international ultra-low-cost carrier, with the new 2020 summer schedule set to increase Swoop’s frequency to 328 ultra-low fare weekly flights.
The low-cost, unbundled model that Swoop has introduced to the Canadian air travel landscape, ensures fares remain ultra-low, with a base fare that starts with just the seat, giving travellers the power to add the things they want, and nothing they don’t.
In addition to the round-trip flight giveaway, Swoop also provided all travellers on the flight from Edmonton to Las Vegas with cookies, champagne and some fun Swoop swag.
“Congratulations to Swoop on its great milestone. We’re happy that Edmonton International Airport can share in this achievement,” said Tom Ruth, president and CEO for EIA. “We look forward to Swoop’s continued success offering more flights to more places for our passengers.”
“Since launching Las Vegas routes in 2018, Swoop has been an incredible partner in expanding affordable opportunities for Canadians to experience our world-class destination,” said Chris Jones, chief marketing officer for McCarran International Airport. “In 2019, we celebrated serving 50 million passengers for the first time in a single year thanks in part to Swoop passengers. We are honored to return the favor by helping to welcome its two-millionth passenger.”
“Swoop has been a welcome addition to the Las Vegas market and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with them,” said H. Fletch Brunelle, vice-president, Marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Canada is our number one source for international visitors and it’s important to have convenient and affordable service to Las Vegas through airlines like Swoop to further encourage Canadians to visit. With nearly US$17 billion in new development including new resorts, convention and meeting space, sports and entertainment venues and more, there’s no better time to visit Las Vegas. The airline has been a great partner for us, and we’re excited to continue working with them to increase connectivity to showcase all the new amenities the destination has to offer.”
The past 18 months has seen Swoop grow tremendously. From an initial fleet of three aircraft and a network of five Canadian cities, the airline now boasts nine aircraft and service to 20 destinations throughout Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. Swoop also has plans for additional fleet and service to more destinations in 2020.
