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| Image Source: Swoop / Twitter |
Beginning on October 11, Swoop will operate direct flights from Abbotsford to Las Vegas, Nevada. The carrier will be operating the service a few times per week. Swoop also intends to fly to Las Vegas from Edmonton, AB and Hamilton, ON. Other US destinations will include Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa Bay, and Phoenix. However, Las Vegas will be the only service operated from BC.
The new service to the United States is scheduled to launch as Swoop accepts delivery of its fifth and sixth aircraft. The move is aimed at targeting price conscious travellers that typically travel south of the border to travel on US ultra low-cost carriers such as Allegiant Air from border cities such as Bellingham, WA. Swoop is trying to attract the five million Canadians that cross the border annually to depart from US airports.
The Swoop announcement came ahead of Flair Air, which also announced new low-cost service to the US this month. The Edmonton-based carrier will be operating flights to Florida, Palm Springs, Arizona, and Las Vegas. However, service will only be offered from Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto.
Fares on Swoop's new US services will start as low as $149 one-way inclusive of taxes and fees. However, promotional fares will be available periodically with rates as low as $99 and $119. The ultra-low cost model is based on low airfares paired with the collection of optional ancillary fees for amenities such as luggage, wireless internet, premium seats, and seat selection.
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| Image Source: Travelweek |
Swoop reported that it currently collects $36 per passenger on average in ancillary fees, twice the rate that WestJet collects with its higher airfares. The carrier believes that it can increase revenues as it offers other services such as hotel reservations, travel insurance, and car rentals, in addition to an expanded selection of food and beverage choices in-flight.
Meanwhile, domestic service will continue from Abbotsford into Swoop's winter schedule. The carrier will continue operating daily flights to Hamilton with ten flights weekly, while the recently added daily flights to Edmonton will operate sixteen times per week.
I am an avid traveller, freelance writer, and hospitality management professional. I enjoy helping people see the world through travel by sharing my own experiences and knowledge. British Columbia is an amazing place that is just waiting to be explored. #ExploreBC
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