WestJet’s new ultra low cost airline unit has got an official launch date.
The ULCC, which is called Swoop, will begin operations on June 20.
It begins with flights from Hamilton to Halifax and Abbotsford, both offering six flights a week.
Then Swoop will add six weekly flights each from Hamilton to Edmonton and Winnipeg on June 25.
The startup also has ambitious plans to fly south to US and Mexico markets.
"In June, when we have all of the regulatory approvals, we will announce southern flying into the US and Mexico, potentially the Caribbean as well. We will aggressively go after the cross-border opportunity, which is quite significant," Bob Cummings, WestJet’s executive vice president of strategy said.
Cross border flights would likely depart from Ontario and British Columbia, Cummings said, and could begin as early as November.
Swoop will market itself as Canada’s low fare option but expects to quickly be profitable.
"Part of the strategy of Swoop is for it to be complementary to WestJet. It made sense for us to start our network as largely Hamilton-based, with some Abbotsford. Over time, we will evolve and deploy into other markets," Cummings added.
