Swoop grows fleet from 10 to 16 aircraft, expands Atlantic Canada network

Swoop will grow its fleet from 10 to 16 aircraft with the acquisition of six new Boeing MAX-8 aircraft, the ultra-low fare airline announced Wednesday (Feb. 9). 

The carrier confirmed it will begin receiving all six aircraft this summer as it expands to meet peak season travel demand.

Alongside this growth, Swoop will significantly expand its domestic network, adding non-stop flights to Newfoundland and increasing service in Atlantic Canada. 

The ULCC will also add six new routes and capacity in Ontario and the Prairies in preparation for Canada's summer travel season. 

READ MORE: Swoop flights added to WestJet Vacations packages

The expansion comes as Swoop reports significantly increased passenger numbers and record bookings domestically.

"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.

Expansion & 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 & 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)

1 million passengers

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.

New domestic routes

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