None of the deals listed on the Swoop Airlines website Thursday had price tags exceeding $100 for flights across Canada. Photograph By WESTJET
WestJet’s discount carrier, Swoop, offers a number of deals to destinations across North America that often seem to good to be true.
For throngs of unlucky travellers this week, these ultra-low fare flights failed to leave the ground after damage was found on one of the carrier's planes in Kelowna on Aug. 26. Following the Kelowna cancellation, seven more flights were cancelled in the carrier's network.
“On behalf of Swoop, I would like to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience our impacted travellers have experienced due to the unscheduled maintenance to one of our aircraft," Steven Greenway, Swoop President, told Vancouver Is Awesome in an email.
"Upon inspection of the aircraft on August 26, damage was found on the body and we are continuing to investigate the cause."
Greenway added that the airline grounded the plane for repair due to its diligent safety protocols. However, the grounding impacted a network of flights through Wednesday, Aug. 28. In total, seven flights were cancelled including flights between Kelowna to Winnipeg, Winnipeg to Abbotsford, Edmonton to Las Vegas, and Las Vegas to Edmonton, Edmonton to Hamilton, Hamilton to Orlando, and Orlando to Hamilton.
Greenway adds that Swoop is working to ensure all impacted travellers are provided with alternative travel arrangements in accordance its Tariff and Flight Interruption Policies. Further, he notes that all impacted travellers are rebooked on the next available Swoop flight.
"If the flight is not satisfactory, travellers are welcome to book alternative travel arrangements. Swoop will reimburse the cost for tickets booked in the same class of service (basic economy) with other airlines. Any travellers delayed more than three hours have received meal, hotel and transportation vouchers."
With one-way flights from Abbotsford to Edmonton selling for as little as $18.99 CAD including all taxes and fees, and flights from Abbotsford to Puerto Vallarta selling for under $99 CAD, Swoop's fares are often extremely low. Yet, while the low-cost carrier is an extremely affordable alternative, it is worthwhile to note that there are a number of additional costs. For one, luggage will cost extra, as will selecting your own seat or even speaking to an operator. As such, it is worthwhile to factor in what you need to bring, or if you want to sit in a particular spot.
