Swoop Suspends all International Flights, Commits to Bringing Home 2,349 Canadian Travellers

CALGARY, AB - March 19, 2020

Swoop is altering its international operations to help with the global efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19. At the end of the operating day on Sunday, March 22, Swoop is suspending all international and transborder flights, with the exception of some select Montego Bay flights, and will begin its efforts to bring home the 2,349 Swoop travellers who are currently outside of Canada. This suspension will be in place until October 24, 2020.

“These are extraordinary times, and we want to be sure our Swoop travellers are safe at home in Canada,” says Bert van der Stege, Head of Commercial, Swoop. “Our priority is to bring Canadian travellers home, ensuring the safety of our travellers, crew and aircraft. We have put these suspensions and subsequent repatriation efforts in place to continue to deliver on that.”

On Monday, March 23, extra flights will begin operating for those Canadians abroad. There will be a total of 9 flights operating over three days to repatriate 2,349 Swoop travellers to Canada.

Impacted travellers are being contacted via email with more specific information on how to re-book on these repatriation flights, as well as how to cancel any upcoming international travel.

“As a result of how quickly the COVID-19 outbreak is changing demand for international air travel, we are in constant communication with our travellers through our various channels. We apologize for longer than average response times as we work through these changes,” van der Stege states.

Swoop is committed to helping Canadians get to where they need to be, whether that be home to Canada or within the domestic network. The airline prides itself on making all seats available at fair fares to support Canadians through these unsettling times.

About Swoop

Swoop is on a mission to make travel more affordable and accessible for all Canadians. Established in 2018 as an independent subsidiary of the WestJet Group of Companies, Swoop is Canada’s ultra-not-expensive airline. Offering scheduled service to destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean, Swoop’s unbundled fares put travellers in control of purchasing only the products and services they desire.

Swoop's fleet of ten Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft expanded this year to add six Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, for a total of 16 aircraft. 

At FlySwoop.com travellers can quickly and easily book flights, manage bookings, check-in, view boarding passes, track flights and access Wi-Fi service in-flight.

For Swoop media relations, please contact [email protected]

For Swoop media relations, please contact: [email protected]