As Open Jaw reported 16JUN, WestJet Group will integrate Sunwing Airlines into its mainline network, a move aimed at optimizing operations under a single aircraft operating certificate.
“We can confirm that Sunwing Airlines will be integrated into WestJet as part of the WestJet Group’s one jet aircraft operating certificate (AOC) strategy. This is a long-term move that will unlock greater scale as one AOC and create more opportunities for Sunwing Airlines employees under the WestJet Group. While exact timelines are still being determined, the integration is expected to take up to a couple of years," said Len Corrado, President, Sunwing Airlines in a statement to Open Jaw.
However, WestJet Group's CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech indicated that on the tour operations side, while WestJet Vacations and Sunwing Vacations would be merged into one business, the two tour operation brands would remain, each targeting a different segment of the market. Combined, the two brands would become "the largest tour operator across Canada," the CEO said to media while at a conference.
Open Jaw got confirmation from Sunwing officials that its tour operations, led by Sunwing Vacations, will continue to operate, and the brand will be maintained.
“The tour operator is not impacted by the airline integration. Sunwing Vacations will continue as the leading tour operator in Canada as part of the WestJet Group, while leveraging the WestJet network to drive increased scale and growth in the sun leisure segment alongside the WestJet Vacations brand," Andrew Dawson, Chief Operating Officer of Sunwing Travel Group and President of Tour Operations confirmed to Open Jaw.
With reassurances from company executives, Sunwing Tour Operations hopes to continue to thrive as a leading tour operator in Canada, further bolstered by leveraging the extensive WestJet air network to drive growth in the sun leisure segment.
