Swoop celebrates inaugural flight between Toronto and Varadero, Cuba

Air
01-11-2023 10:14 am
Pax Global Media

Pax Global Media

Swoop is celebrating its inaugural service between Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport (VRA) in Varadero, Cuba.

Swoop flight WO652 took off from Toronto on Wednesday morning at 9:10 a.m. ET and will land in sunny Varadero at 12:50 p.m. local time.

"As Canada's favourite sun and fun ultra-low-cost carrier, we are thrilled to celebrate our launch into Cuba," said Bob Cummings, President of Swoop. "Varadero is widely known as a Canadian favourite for affordable beach vacations, and so we're proud to provide Torontonians a new ultra-convenient, ultra-not-expensive option for travel to Playa Azul."

Pre-packaged vacations to an all-inclusive beach resort using Swoop flights can be accessed via WestJet Vacations Packages through travel advisors.

"We are thrilled to have Swoop flying to Cuba, it means additional air lift to our country and a growth opportunity to the destination. There is a large part of the market that like to explore Cuba on their own and now they can take advantage of these affordable prices and satisfy their travel needs," said Lessner Gomez, Director of Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto.

"With over two months of winter still remaining, travellers now have more choice for sun destinations served out of Toronto Pearson," added Janik Reigate, director of strategic customer relationships at Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "We're proud to partner with Swoop to help our valued passengers break up the cold and snow with a bit of sun and fun this winter season."

In addition to the Varadero inaugural flight, Swoop also began new, non-stop service between Hamilton and Punta Cana.

The "ultra-not-expensive" airline will operate over 100 flights per week to 13 vacation destinations across the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean this winter season with one-way all-in prices starting at $99 CAD for flights and WestJet Vacations packages starting at $356 CAD.

Swoop's schedule

Route	Lowest 7- day WestJet Vacation Package Price (CAD) †	Lowest one- way total price (CAD)†	Base Fare (CAD)	Taxes & Fees (CAD)	Operating Days
Toronto to Varadero	$842	$159	$46.99	$113.01	Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Toronto to Cancun	$1,470	$159	$50.02	$108.98	All
Toronto to Las Vegas	$356 (3 nights)	$105	$3.52	$101.48	Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Hamilton to Punta Cana	$1,309	$199	$90.68	$112.27	Wednesdays and Saturdays
Hamilton to Cancun	$1,439	$139	$41.32	$97.68	Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays
Hamilton to Las Vegas	$401 (4 nights)	$99	$8.57	$90.43	Thursdays and Sundays
Hamilton to Montego Bay	$1,173	$159	$47.33	$111.67	Wednesdays and Saturdays