It’s a new day in Canadian aviation, as WestJet has been cleared to take over Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines. But the Trudeau government is imposing conditions, and also is pledging to strengthen Canada’s weak airline passenger protection laws. Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra today announced that following Transport Canada’s assessment of the public interest, the Government of Canada has approved the acquisition of Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines by WestJet Airlines Ltd., subject to strict terms and conditions that are in the interest of Canadians. The minister said Ottawa’s assessment of the propsed deal incorporated the findings of the Read more
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WestJet’s controversial takeover of Sunwing is set to be approved today by the Trudeau government. WestJet also has been given federal licenses for flights to Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia. The Globe and Mail this morning (March 10) reported that the announcement will be made today, providing WestJet with a huge increase in its share of the packaged vacation business. Calgary-based WestJet and Toronto-based Sunwing announced the proposed merger in March, 2022. The federal Competition Bureau later stated that the takeover would lead to fewer choices for Canadian travellers, and higher prices. The Globe story said the Trudeau Read more
Whether planning for the upcoming school break or simply needing an escape from the cold, Canadians can take advantage of exclusive savings on their winter getaways during Sunwing’s Winter Blues Sale, on now until February 26, 2023. Eligible for travel by April 30, 2023, customers can do more of what they love in the destinations they can’t wait to visit with a variety of Sunwing all inclusive packages suited to family-friendly and adults only vacations. “With winter in full force, we know our customers are dreaming about an escape to the sun and, with the launch of our Winter Blues Read more
Following is a Sunwing statement on holiday travel disruptions for Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Agency Leaders Advisory Group To our valued travel advisors, At Sunwing, we have always remained steadfast in our purpose of making vacation dreams come true and travel advisors are integral to that process, helping our mutual customers choose from a wide variety of all inclusive resorts located in a number of popular vacation destinations. We know the past three years have been challenging and we have navigated through each obstacle together. Of course, this past month has been particularly difficult for travel advisors Read more
The bad news continues for Sunwing, and for Canadian travellers. Sunwing airlines has reduced its flight schedules from three airports in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canadian Press reports. Tiffany Chase with the Halifax International Airport Authority said on Sunday that Sunwing cancelled its plans to launch once-weekly flights in February from Halifax to Orlando, Fla., and to Cayo Largo del Sur, Cuba. A twice-weekly flight to Varadero, Cuba, set to begin in February will be reduced to once a week, she said. “We expect Sunwing’s other scheduled services at Halifax Stanfield to continue this winter season,” Halifax airport’s communications Read more
