WestJet鈥檚 new discount airline is setting the bar sky-high for its debut, with the promise of $7.50 one-way flights between B.C. and Ontario.
Swoop is the $7.50 flights between Abbotsford, B.C., and Hamilton, Ont., for customers who book before Feb. 4. The offer comes with a number of blackout dates and restrictions, but it essentially amounts to a $0 base fare, plus taxes and fees, according to the airline. Other one-way sales on the site include $37 for a flight from Hamilton to Halifax, $39 to go from Edmonton to Abbotsford and $41 to go from Halifax to Hamilton.
Swoop鈥檚 website says 500 seats are available at the $0 base fare from June 20-Sept. 4, and another 1,500 are available from Sept. 5-Dec. 13.
鈥淭his is about more competition, more choice and lower fares for Canadian travellers,鈥� Bob Cummings, WestJet鈥檚 executive vice president of strategy and head of Swoop, said at a news conference in Hamilton Thursday.
The ultra-low cost airline will launch this summer, with flights operating out of Abbotsford, B.C., Winnipeg, Man., Edmonton, Alta., Hamilton, Ont. and Halifax, N.S. Most regular one-way fares will cost $99, with certain shorter flights listed at $69 or $39 for a one-way ticket.
Cummings says the airline is targeting millennials and 鈥渢he price-sensitive traveller who is looking for more value.鈥�
Swoop says it will be announcing new routes over the next several months. It also expects to hire approximately 500 individuals over the next year.
