There were smiles all around Friday when Swoop flew in and out of Kelowna International Airport for the first time.
The ultra-low-cost carrier conducted its inaugural voyage to Kelowna, arriving 20 minutes after noon from Winnipeg, and it was greeted by the traditional water cannon salute on the YLW tarmac.
“For a guy who runs an airport, having a new airline launch in your airport is just a wonderful day,” YLW airport director Sam Samaddar said. “It has a huge impact, because we’re adding more seats into the market place. We’re providing the travellers with more choice, and when you add that into a ultra-low-cost model, you potentially have people that would not necessarily fly that would enter into the market place. And those that do fly will actually fly more often.”
Swoop, whose parent company is WestJet, is beginning with three weekly flights to Winnipeg on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It will add two weekly non-stop trips to Las Vegas starting June 27.
The ultra-low-cost business model is still in its infancy in Canada, but Samaddar noted it has proven to be sustainable in other parts of the world. Karen McIsaac, who is Swoop’s senior communications director, said business is going well at the airline, which launched last June.
“We’re following our business plan, and that’s a testament to how well it’s working,” McIsaac said. “We haven’t had to adjust the deliveries of any of our aircraft, we’ve put all of our routes in place, so we’re right on track for where we want to be.”
Tyler Snitynsky, who was the first person to check in at the Swoop counter for the return trip back to Winnipeg, said the price was simply too good to pass up. He paid $198 return, including taxes and fees, for the weekend trip to see friends in the Manitoba capital.
“As long as I get there and come back, I’m good,” Snitynsky said. “But I was shocked to see the fare that I paid, including taxes and fees, was lower than the starting fare for a lot of other airlines. It’s nice to see some competition. Everything’s an up-charge, but I’m OK with that. I got a good deal.”
As for the first Swoop flight into Kelowna, Winnipeg resident Rachel Bevan said she couldn’t tell she was on a low-cost carrier.
“It was exactly the same as every other airline I’ve flown, and I fly a lot,” said Bevan, who also paid $198 return. “The flight attendants were wonderful. They were funny. Everything was really good.
“I would totally recommend it. It was a no-brainer.”
As for anyone who might be leery about hopping on an ultra-low-cost carrier, McIsaac tried to put any myths to rest.
“It doesn’t mean that we’re any less reliable, any less safe and essentially it’s not nickel and diming you for everything,” she said. “It’s giving you choice for what you want to purchase for the product and service that you’re going to use on your flight.”
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