With WestJetB次元官网网址檚 announcement Wednesday morning of their new ultra-low cost carrier Swoop, Comox AirportB次元官网网址檚 CEO says there is room for the business model across the country and on Vancouver Island.
Fred Bigelow explains he has been following the development of ULCCs for quite some time while in constant communication with the major airlines.
B次元官网网址淲hat we know about ULCCs, is that they look towards lower cost airports because they want to keep their costs down. They look to places like us because Comox is very attractive and inexpensive compared to major airports whose costs are much higher.B次元官网网址�
WestJet noted Swoop will begin selling flights in early 2018, and will provide Canadians with a no-frills, lower-fare travel option. The company has chosen Calgary as the location of its headquarters, the same location as WestJetB次元官网网址檚 corporate head office.
According to the Swoop , the base price simply includes just a seat, and the airline is creating a B次元官网网址渓a carte service that puts you, the traveler, in the driver seat. You can add a snack, checked baggage or in-flight entertainment at an additional cost.B次元官网网址�
Geoff Dickson, president/CEO of the Victoria International Airport says todayB次元官网网址檚 announcement is B次元官网网址渁n exciting time for the Canadian aviation industry.B次元官网网址�
He notes he is curious to see how Swoop will fit into WestJetB次元官网网址檚 current portfolio and what market it will pick up give the airlineB次元官网网址檚 mainstream carrier coverage along with Encore.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a possibility for sunspot destinations out of Victoria and thinner markets possible for Canada.B次元官网网址�
Dickson adds as opposed to other ULCC in Canada such as New Leaf/Flair Airlines which sputtered to take hold, WestJet is in a strong position with more aircraft.
B次元官网网址淭hey have critical mass, which is a big opportunity to succeed.B次元官网网址�
The concept of ULCCs has taken off in the U.S. and in Europe, and unlike major carriers, many low-cost carries develop bases to maximize destination coverage. Many do not operate traditional hubs but often fly to smaller, less congested secondary airports.
To make the ULCC model work, WestJet notes they have standardized plane sizes, seating configurations and flight patterns, and B次元官网网址渒ept the bells and whistles at airports to a minimum.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭here is room for this business model (in Canada) B次元官网网址� because they try to attract flyers that just arenB次元官网网址檛 flying. Now the guy who wants to fly home to see his parents at Thanksgiving who couldnB次元官网网址檛 afford it before can now fly,B次元官网网址� explains Bigelow.
While there was no announcement about routes or flight schedules, Bigelow notes people will drive to an airport from afar if the price is right for flight.
B次元官网网址淎 good fare, a non-stop flight to a nice destination will draw people from far and wide. (U.S. low-cost) Allegiant Air uses a four-hour timeline for driving distance for people to go to an airport (with a ULCC). People will drive a long way for cheap fares.B次元官网网址�
He adds right now he will monitor WestJet along with their subsidiary of WestJet Encore to see the separation of the regional airline and various discussions with airports across the country.
B次元官网网址淐omox remains pretty darn attractive to airlines B次元官网网址� we will certainly be in a position to provide who are passengers are and the data that is key to a new route. WeB次元官网网址檙e still waiting to see - itB次元官网网址檚 a new company, a different brand, different business model. Although itB次元官网网址檚 co-located (with WestJet), it remains to be seen the management oversight (between the two).B次元官网网址�
