Calgary-based WestJet has signed an agreement to acquire Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines bringing together two rival Canadian airlines.
Westjet and Sunwing planes (CNW Group/Unifor)
According to the news release, a new tour operating business unit headquartered in Toronto, with a Quebec head office in Laval will be created under the WestJet Group, to include both Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations Inc.
Sunwing’s shareholders will also become equity holders in the WestJet Group.
The news release says Sunwing has more flights to the south than any other leisure carrier with convenient direct service from airports across Canada to popular sun destinations across the U.S.A., Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.
WestJet Group says the acquisition will add increased capacity. The news release states, ” This acquisition will improve the WestJet Group’s ability to offer more affordable fares by immediately expanding its low-cost footprint in Canada.”
Canada’s largest union in the private sector, Unifor which represents roughly 700 WestJet airport customer service and baggage agents in Calgary and Vancouver airports, as well as 452 Sunwing pilots welcomed the deal. Scott Doherty, the Executive Assistant to the Unifor’s National President said, “With the federal government lifting travel restrictions and more Canadians travelling more for business and pleasure, we look forward to fostering good relationships between WestJet and Sunwing in their new capacity.”
The deal which remains subject to receipt of regulatory approvals is anticipated to close in late 2022.
WestJet was launched in 1996 and now has 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and flies to more than 100 destinations in 23 countries (pre-pandemic).
WestJet is also the parent company of Swoop, one of Canada’s very limited options for low-cost airlines. The other low-cost options currently include Potter Airlines, Flair Airlines and the newly launched Lynx Airlines.