Canada’s Competition Bureau has concluded that WestJet’s proposed acquisition of Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines is likely to result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition in the sale of vacation packages to Canadians. The Bureau’s concerns are outlined in a report delivered to the Minister of Transport by the Commissioner of Competition. The report will inform Transport Canada’s public interest review of the proposed transaction as it relates to national transportation. Eliminating the rivalry between these integrated airlines and tour operators would likely result in increased prices, less choice and decreases in service for Canadians, the bureau said. Read more
merger
WestJet’s acquisition of Sunwing may have a “deep and negative effect on Canadian jobs,” a powerful Canadian union argues. Unifor, which represents some 16,000 airline workers across the country, late last week filed s public interest submission with the Canadian government, arguing that Transport Canada and the Competition Bureau must consider that a Sunwing-WestJet merger could lead to lower wages and lost jobs. “Unifor is concerned that, despite the promises made to create jobs, this acquisition will actually lead to more sub-contracted work with lower wages and precarious conditions,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President. “Not only Read more
