WestJet plans to close Sunwing Airlines and integrate the low-cost carrier into its core business within two years as part of a plan to streamline operations.
In an internal memo obtained by The Canadian Press, Sunwing Airlines President Len Corrado says the move will open up growth opportunities for the 18-year-old company as well as its employees.
This decision comes barely a week after WestJet decided to consolidate the activities of its economic subsidiary Swoop under its main banner.
Both moves amplify the major consolidation in the Canadian aviation market that followed WestJet’s acquisition of the airline and Sunwing’s vacation divisions last month.
The memo does not say that Sunwing Vacations will be closing, suggesting that WestJet planes could fly Sunwing vacation package customers to their destination.
Last week, WestJet said it would integrate Swoop into its core business by the end of October, as the nation’s second-largest airline rebalances in a fiercely competitive market.