Sunwing, Swoop integration will drive efficiency: WestJet CEO

WestJet’s top executive said the decision to integrate Sunwing Airlines and Swoop into the airline’s main business will drive efficiency across the company, and will not reduce competition in Canada’s air travel industry.

News broke last week that WestJet is planning to integrate Sunwing Airlines into its main business over the course of two years in order to streamline operations. Earlier this month, WestJet said it will cease Swoop operations by the end of October while bringing the budget airline into the primary carrier. 

The developments have prompted concern about reduced competition in the industry. But Alexis von Hoensbroech, the WestJet chief executive officer, said in an interview with BNN Bloomberg on Wednesday that the integrations will not affect competition because Sunwing and Swoop are already part of the WestJet group. 

“They cooperate and they don't compete with each other,” he said. “This movement itself is creating more scale, but does not reduce any competition.”