Swoop's U.S. flights grounded, cites pending approvals

Air
10-19-2018 9:36 am
Blake Wolfe

Blake Wolfe

Blake Wolfe is an award-winning journalist and editor, who joined PAX after nearly 10 years in Canada’s newspaper industry. In addition to PAX, his work has been featured in publications such as the Metroland Media group of newspapers and the Toronto Sun.

Ultra low-cost carrier Swoop has cancelled its U.S. flights launching this week, some scheduled to depart today (Oct. 19), citing a pending approval from the U.S. government to operate transborder flights.

The airline posted on its website that due to the lack of “one final approval required to operate to the U.S.,” flights to destinations including Las Vegas, Orlando, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale from numerous Canadian gateways scheduled to launch this week will not be operating as planned.

The carrier has set up a dedicated ‘Travel Interruption support team’ who will “reach out directly to impacted travellers to offer rebooking options or full refunds,” Swoop said.

Karen McIsaac, senior communications advisor for Swoop, told PAX that approval of the operating certificate was expected prior to the launch of the new flights, adding that the U.S. government has not provided an explanation for the delay. Swoop expects to see approval of the operating certificate prior to Oct. 27, when the airline launches its Edmonton-Mesa service.

Which flights are affected

Las Vegas, Oct. 19-26

Flights between Abbotsford and Las Vegas on Oct. 21 and 25 (WO 802 and WO 705) and flights between Hamilton and Las Vegas on Oct. 26 (WO 800 and WO 701) have been cancelled.

Flights between Edmonton and Las Vegas from Oct. 19 to 26 will be operated on a WestJet aircraft, departing as close to the original scheduled time as possible. Travellers booked on these flights will receive a new booking confirmation email approximately 72 hours prior to scheduled departure with information regarding the new flight and how to check in, Swoop said on its website.

Orlando, Oct. 20-24

Flights between Hamilton and Orlando on Oct. 20 and 24 (WO 810 and WO 711) have been cancelled.

Tampa

Flights between Hamilton and Tampa on Oct. 20 and 24 (WO 808 and WO 709) have been cancelled

Fort Lauderdale

Flights between Hamilton and Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 26 (WO 820 and WO 719) have been cancelled

The full list of cancellations can be found here.