Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), Swoop, today issued an RFP (request for proposal) seeking strategic partnerships with airports in North and Central America and the Caribbean. The airline, an independently operated subsidiary of WestJet, is interested in collaborating with airports with an entrepreneurial, consumer-driven mindset in order to stimulate travel and support economic recovery.
“We believe the key to recovery lies in strategic collaboration, creativity and innovation to get travellers moving back through airports and into the skies,” said Charles Duncan, president of Swoop. “We are encouraged by early signs of recovering demand for ultra-low fares and are eager to collaborate with airports across the region to re-think how we, as an industry, approach affordable and accessible air travel.”
Swoop, which operated its first flights on 20 June, 2018, says it is confident in the long-term prospects for its ULCC business model and future growth. The airline is seeking innovative proposals from airports that understand providing value to travellers through fair fares, with low fees helping create demand and helping travel and tourism stimulate economic recovery.
“Having welcomed 2.5 million travellers on board in our first two years of operation, our unbundled airfare model has proven successful here in Canada. This demonstrated demand for ultra-low fares translates to increased passenger traffic in airports, and the significant spillover effect through the support of jobs and businesses in local economies, all of which are essential for economic recovery,” stated Duncan.
In 2019 Canadians saved CAD$159 million as a result of Swoop’s investments, which lowered fares and increased choice and competition within the marketplace. Overall, since launching in 2018, Swoop has been responsible for the creation of more than 1,800 jobs, resulting in an economic impact of $295 million.
Swoop’s Airport RFP process is being managed through the Route Exchange RFP feature available to Routes Online members. Airports across North and Central America and the Caribbean, with facilities suitable for the operation of Boeing 737-800 NG, are invited to participate by first completing a pre-qualifying questionnaire. Successful applicants will then be invited to submit a formal response to the RFP, which will then be evaluated and moved through a collaborative assessment process. The process will take place over several weeks, with successful applicants announced later this year.
