CALGARY — Swoop hasn’t even gotten off the ground yet and it’s already increasing frequency and adding planes to its fleet.
The moves, which come only seven weeks after coming into market, can be seen as a sign of confidence for WestJet’s new low-cost carrier. Taking flight on June 20, 2018, Swoop has announced a fourth Boeing 737-800 aircraft and an increased weekly frequency schedule out of John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) beginning Aug. 16, 2018.
The addition of a fourth aircraft will mean an increase of 13 weekly flights that will almost double the daily frequency between Hamilton-Edmonton and Hamilton-Abbotsford. It will also add one weekly flight to the schedule for Hamilton-Halifax and Hamilton-Winnipeg, which will now be offered daily.
“We’re excited to get growing with the addition of our fourth aircraft,” said Steven Greenway, President of Swoop, who joined the company earlier this month. “The increased frequency schedule allows us to offer travellers even more opportunity and flexibility to explore Canada or visit family and friends during the peak summer season.”
Cathie Puckering, President & CEO of YHM, said that the addition of 13 weekly flights is good news for the hundreds of thousands of passengers flying out of the airport to key regional destinations. “Last year 599,146 passengers flew to and from Hamilton International and we are excited about the growth we are already seeing in 2018,” she said.
The increased service is as follows:
- Hamilton-Edmonton increases from 7 to 13x weekly
- Hamilton-Abbotsford increases from 6 to 11x weekly (from Aug. 16-Sept. 5 only, reverting to 6 weekly flights from Sept. 6-Dec. 13, 2018)
- Hamilton-Halifax increases from 6 to 7x weekly
- Hamilton-Winnipeg increases from 6 to 7x weekly
Overall, the increase will see Swoop operating 59 weekly flights as of Aug. 16.
To celebrate its fourth aircraft and increased frequency schedule, Swoop has released 3,500 seats at special fares if booked by March 27, 2018 for travel between June 20-30 and/or Aug. 16-Dec. 13, 2018. For example, Abbotsford-Edmonton starts from $49 one-way, while Hamilton-Abbotsford starts at $99 one-way. For more details go to FlySwoop.com/deals.
