Swoop Expands: More Flights in Atlantic Canada and Ontario

Swoop Airlines is adding significantly more capacity in Atlantic Canada and Ontario as it adds a half-dozen new planes.

The Calgary-based company “will significantly expand its domestic network, adding non-stop flights to Newfoundland and increasing service in Atlantic Canada,” officials said today. “The ULCC will also add six new routes and capacity in Ontario and the Prairies in preparation for Canada’s busy summer travel season. The airline’s announced expansion comes as Swoop reports significantly increased passenger numbers and record bookings domestically.”

Swoop, Canada’s leading ultra-low fare airline, also announced it will grow its fleet from 10 to 16 aircraft with the acquisition of six new Boeing MAX-8 aircraft. Canada’s fast growing ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) confirmed it will begin receiving all six aircraft this summer as the airline rapidly expands to meet peak season travel demand.

“We saw demand for travel return in a very meaningful way over the holidays, signalling that Canadians are ready to reunite with family and friends,” said Bert van der Stege, Head of Commercial & Finance, Swoop. “The acquisition of six new aircraft in response to anticipated demand will ensure Swoop reconnects more Canadians this summer while accelerating Canada’s economic recovery.”

Today’s announced expansion will bring the ULCC’s total non-stop domestic routes served to 37 this summer and includes a significant investment in Atlantic Canada.

Significant Expansion and Investment in Atlantic Canada

Swoop’s investments in Atlantic Canada will see the airline begin service at three new destinations while increasing capacity across the region by 273 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels.

“Swoop is pleased to support Newfoundland and Labrador’s Come Home 2022 campaign and stimulate recovery of the visitor economy with access to affordable air travel,” said van der Stege. “We know how important the re-opening of travel and tourism is for regional economic recovery and continue to call on the federal government to outline a roadmap for the recovery of air travel that is based on science and reflective of the current realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Newfoundland and Labrador

Deer Lake – Hamilton, 2x weekly (May 21)

St. John’s – Hamilton, 5x weekly (June 13)

Deer Lake – Toronto, 2x weekly (June 20)

New Brunswick

Moncton – Hamilton – 4x weekly (May 9)

Saint John – Toronto – 4x weekly (May 12)

Moncton – Edmonton – 2x weekly (May 9)

Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown – Hamilton – 4x weekly (May 1)

Charlottetown – Toronto – 3x weekly (May 2)

Charlottetown – Edmonton – 2x weekly (May 1)

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax – Edmonton – 5x weekly (May 1)

Halifax – Ottawa – Daily (June 19)

Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to benefit from increased domestic capacity

Today’s network expansion announcement also includes new routes and increased frequencies in previously announced new stations: Ottawa, Saskatoon and Regina.

Ontario

Ottawa – Winnipeg – 4x weekly (June 19)

Winnipeg – Toronto – Daily (June 20)

Saskatchewan

Saskatoon – Winnipeg – 2x weekly (June 14)

Saskatoon – Toronto – 2x weekly (June 22)

Regina – Winnipeg – 2x weekly (June 16)

Regina – Toronto – 2x weekly (June 22)

Demand for affordable travel equates to record new bookings and job opportunities across Canada

Throughout the pandemic the ULCC model has proven especially resilient, with Swoop carrying around one million travellers in 2021. Despite ongoing travel restrictions Swoop saw strong demand for both domestic and international travel over the peak holiday period, a trend that has continued into the new year. The airline further demonstrated operational resilience, ranking amongst the most reliable airlines in Canada/North America, with a flight completion rate of 99.4 per cent and on-time arrival of 78 per cent in 2021.

In preparation of the airline’s fleet growth and network expansion, Swoop is ramping up staffing across Canada, creating jobs to support economic recovery and stimulating hospitality and tourism sectors from coast-to-coast.

Full Details of Swoop’s New Domestic Routes