The Canadian airline issued a statement on Wednesday saying it expects to receive the new 737 MAX 8s over the summer. This will increase Swoop’s fleet size by 60% and take the total up to 16 aircraft. Swoop presently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 10 737-800 Next Generation (NG) aircraft, so it makes sense for the airline to stick with the type when it comes to new acquisitions.
Focus on domestic routes
Along with new aircraft acquisitions, plans to add new routes and increase frequency on existing ones were also announced today. The focus has predominantly been on the Canadian domestic market in anticipation of growing passenger traffic in the upcoming summer travel season. Swoop’s Head of Commercial and Finance, Bert van der Stege commented,
“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. 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.”
Swoop’s magenta livery will look magnifiscent on the 737 MAX airframe. Photo: Swoop
One thing that is apparent from the routes the airline intends to fly is that Swoop is putting a lot of weight behind Newfoundland and Labrador’s “Come home 2022” campaign. It is introducing three new routes to the province starting in May. Bert van der Stege added,
“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.”
Nonetheless, there are several other interesting routes in the mix. The schedule is detailed below:
| Route | Peak Weekly Frequency | Start Date | Total one- way fare (CAD) † | Base Fare (CAD) | Taxes and Fees (CAD) |
| Hamilton to Charlottetown | 4x weekly | May 1, 2022 | $49.00 | $1.29 | $47.71 |
| Edmonton to Halifax | 5x weekly | May 1, 2022 | $179.00 | $118.40 | $60.60 |
| Toronto to Charlottetown | 3x weekly | May 2, 2022 | $59.00 | $5.14 | $53.86 |
| Hamilton to Moncton | 4x weekly | May 9, 2022 | $79.00 | $27.84 | $51.16 |
| Toronto to Saint John | 4x weekly | May 12, 2022 | $59.00 | $5.14 | $53.86 |
| Hamilton to Deer Lake | 2x weekly | May 21, 2022 | $59.00 | $9.23 | $49.77 |
| Hamilton to St. John’s | 5x weekly | June 13, 2022 | $99.00 | $45.54 | $53.46 |
| Winnipeg to Saskatoon | 2x weekly | June 14, 2022 | $59.00 | $3.12 | $55.88 |
| Winnipeg to Regina | 2x weekly | June 16, 2022 | $59.00 | $3.12 | $55.88 |
| Winnipeg to Ottawa | 4x weekly | June 19, 2022 | $65.00 | $6.83 | $58.17 |
| Halifax to Ottawa | Daily | June 19, 2022 | $60.00 | $0.10 | $59.90 |
| Edmonton to Charlottetown | 2x weekly | June 19, 2022 | $179.00 | $118.40 | $60.60 |
| Toronto to Deer Lake | 2x weekly | June 20, 2022 | $99.00 | $40.54 | $58.46 |
| Toronto to Winnipeg | Daily | June 20, 2022 | $69.00 | $13.99 | $55.01 |
| Edmonton to Moncton | 2x weekly | June 20, 2022 | $179.00 | $118.40 | $60.60 |
| Toronto to Regina | 2x weekly | June 22, 2022 | $59.00 | $19.12 | $39.88 |
| Toronto to Saskatoon | 2x weekly | June 22, 2022 | $69.00 | $25.64 | $43.36 |
The Swoop story
Swoop started operations merely four years ago as a wholly-owned subsidiary of WestJet Airlines. The airline was famously named after WestJet’s desire to ‘swoop’ into the Canadian aviation scene with an exciting new business model. Unfortunately, however, there wasn’t much swooping as the pandemic, and the 737 MAX grounding meant the airline spent most of its time trying to stay afloat.
Despite the hardships over the last few years, Swoop has displayed incredible resilience and somehow managed to keep growing, albeit marginally. But the worst seems to be over for the Canadian startup as it can finally start thinking of expanding its magenta footprint this summer.
Swoop’s current 737s feature a 189-seat configuration. Photo: Swoop.
Summers have always been generous to the Canadian aviation industry, and thanks to LCCs like Swoop, travelers are further encouraged to fly. But the threat posed by this pandemic isn’t fully gone yet, and a lot can change between now and May, so it remains to be seen if Swoop’s ambitious plans are materialized.
Do you think the new routes and fares will help Swoop record its best summer yet? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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