By Skies Magazine | June 9, 2023 Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 35 seconds.
In a June 9 announcement from WestJet, the airline confirmed that it will begin efforts to integrate its ultra-low-cost subsidiary, Swoop, into its mainline operation. This move was anticipated as part of a collective agreement that the airline made with ALPA (the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l) — the union representing WestJet pilots — in mid-May. Swoop was launched five years ago in June 2018 and operates a fleet of 737-800 and 737 Max 8 aircraft.
Now that the agreement — which is in effect from Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2026 — has been ratified, the integration of Swoop into WestJet’s operations has begun. “Through an expedited process,” WestJet expects full integration by the end of October.
In order to avoid traveler impact, “Swoop will operate its existing network through to the end of its published schedule on October 28,” at which time Swoop employees will move to WestJet, the airline said.
“The WestJet Group is confident in the outcome of this negotiated decision and the path forward to integrate Swoop into WestJet’s operations,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group CEO. “We continue our strategy toward providing reliable, affordable travel across the WestJet Group, leveraging the valuable experiences and learnings from the Swoop business model.
“This integration will enhance our ability to serve a broader spectrum of guests,” continued von Hoensbroech. “Instead of only 16 aircraft serving the ultra-low-cost market, each aircraft, in our 180-strong fleet, will offer ultra-affordable travel options through to a premium inflight experience.”
Negotiations between WestJet and its pilots began in mid-2022, as pilots raised concerns about wages, over scheduling, poor working conditions, and job security. The latter issue became a greater concern when WestJet’s acquisition of Sunwing was approved by the federal government in March of this year.
ALPA suggested that Canadian pilots earn roughly half of what pilots in the U.S. earn, and was fighting for a “North American industry-standard contract.”
WestJet, however, said those wage expectations were “unreasonable,” and “if realized would permanently damage the financial viability of the group’s future.”
As part of the collective agreement, WestJet pilots will earn 24 percent raises over four years, and Swoop pilots will see similar compensation. With less variation in the salary scale between WestJet and Swoop pilots, the competitive price advantage that Swoop had diminishes.
