The ultra-low cost carrier Swoop has welcomed its one millionth traveller just under a year from its first flight, with airport executives in Canada saying the milestone confirms that Canadians “are embracing low-cost travel.”
The Canadian airline marked the milestone on a flight from Edmonton to Hamilton this week, providing gifts for the lucky traveller, and a celebration for the flight’s passengers in Edmonton International Airport with decorations and refreshments at the gate.
The airline is a month away from reaching one full-year of operation, having begun flights on 20 June 2018, with an initial fleet of three aircraft and a network of five Canadian cities. Since its launch the airline has expanded service to include 16 destinations across four countries.
Swoop said its Edmonton base has seen an “exponential increase” in weekly flights, and now employs 104 Swoop staff, while its Hamilton base has almost quadrupled its weekly flights since launch and currently employs 166 Swoop personnel.
“Swoop’s success at EIA shows they are meeting the needs of the travelling public,” said Tom Ruth, president and CEO of Edmonton International Airport. “Their growing list of Canadian and US routes include some of the most sought-after destinations for residents of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.”
“Reaching one million passengers is a monumental achievement for Swoop and affirms that Canadians are embracing low-cost travel,” said Cathie Puckering, president & CEO, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.
“This accomplishment is particularly impressive considering the airline has only been operating for 11 months. We are so thrilled to be Swoop’s base in Eastern Canada and look forward to welcoming even more Swoop passengers to our airport in the coming years,” Puckering added.
Swoop adds Kelowna to the network
Last week the airline launched services from Kelowna International Airport in Okanagan, Canada, with its inaugural flight operating to Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.
The service marked the first of two destinations Swoop will operate out of Kelowna, with a twice-weekly service to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas also launching next month.
“We are proud to welcome a new ultra-low-cost carrier to YLW,” said Sam Samaddar, airport director. “Having Swoop in Kelowna is a great opportunity for the Okanagan, as it gives travellers more options to fly, and explore other parts of Canada this summer.”
Kelowna airport said that demand for direct non-stop service to Winnipeg has doubled since 2017. Swoop brings three-times weekly service between the two destinations, scheduled to operate until 25 October.
