Swoop Heads to Cuba & Increases Other Flight Frequencies

LONDON – On August 31, the Canadian ULCC (ultra-low-cost carrier), Swoop, announced the expansion of its upcoming winter scheduling by heading to Cuba as well as increasing some of its flight frequencies on its other winter services.

Cuba & The Frequency Increases

For the first time, Swoop will be heading to Cuba this upcoming winter season. Commencing from January 11, 2023, Swoop will fly from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Varadero Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport (VRA) and will operate the route three times per week.

The new service will be operated by Swoop’s all-Boeing fleet of Boeing 737-800NGs (Next Generation) and Boeing 737 MAX 8s, which currently the carrier has 10 Boeing 737-800NGs and three Boeing 737 MAX 8s. The carrier also has a further three Boeing 737 MAX 8s for a total of six of the type once they have all been delivered.

As well as heading to Cuba, Swoop will also be expanding some of its winter services, including restarting London (YXU) to Cancun (CUN) in Mexico from December 3, and from December 4 will head from London to Orlando Sanford (SFB).

On-top of the London, Ontario restarts, Swoop will also restart Fort Lauderdale (FLL) from Toronto (YYZ) on December 8 and from Hamilton (YHM) from December 9.

The following is some of the increased frequencies that Swoop will be operating this upcoming winter season:

Toronto to Varadero – Three weekly.
Toronto to Fort Lauderdale – Six weekly.
Toronto to St. Pete-Clearwater – Two weekly.
Toronto to Orlando – Six weekly.
Toronto to Las Vegas – Daily.
Toronto to Cancun – Ten weekly.
Toronto to Kingston – Five weekly.
Toronto to Montego Bay – Six weekly.
Toronto to Punta Cana – Five weekly.
Toronto to Puerto Vallarta – Two weekly.
Toronto to Los Cabos – Two weekly.
Hamilton to Fort Lauderdale – Two weekly.
Hamilton to Las Vegas – Four weekly.
Hamilton to St. Pete-Clearwater – Three weekly.
Hamilton to Orlando – Four weekly.
Hamilton to Cancun – Three weekly.
Hamilton to Puerto Vallarta – One weekly.
London to Orlando – Two weekly.
London to Cancun – Two weekly.
Edmonton to Mesa – Two weekly.
Edmonton to Las Vegas – Six weekly.
Edmonton to Mazatlán – One weekly.
Edmonton to Puerto Vallarta – Two weekly.
Edmonton to Los Cabos – Two weekly.
Winnipeg to Mesa – Two weekly.
Winnipeg to Orlando – Two weekly.
Winnipeg to Puerto Vallarta – Two weekly.
Abbotsford to Mazatlán – One weekly.
Abbotsford to Los Cabos – Two weekly.
Abbotsford to Puerto Vallarta – Three weekly.

Swoop management statement

Commenting on the carriers new services to Cuba, Swoop’s Leader, Distribution and Sales, Tia McGrath, has said, “We’re thrilled to be announcing an expansion in the Caribbean, adding Varadero to our growing list of vacation destinations.”

“Cuba tops the list for Ontarians seeking an affordable beach getaway and we’re proud to reaffirm our commitment to the region with more ultra-convenient and ultra-low fares.”

“We know that choice and value are important to Canadians planning vacations. We have several options available for our ultra-not-expensive flights to be packaged with all-inclusive resorts or vacation properties.”

Cuba Tourist Board

Adding to McGrath’s comments, Lessner Gomes, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board, says, “We are thrilled to welcome Swoop flights to Cuba, we are excited with this new partnership which means more capacity to Cuba from Canada. In this price sensitive market, Swoop’s ultra-low cost structure will make easier to Canadians this winter to enjoy beautiful Cuba.”

President and Chief Executive Officer of London International Airport, Scott McFadzean, adds, “The London International Airport and Swoop saw strong growth through 2019 and the first quarter of 2020 prior to the pandemic restrictions. It is amazing to have Swoop back offering these incredible destinations at low rates from your local easy and comfortable airport.”

Overall

Swoop’s flight expansion for this upcoming winter season is yet another signifier that demand during what was expected to be quiet season, is once again blowing expectations out of the water as people still want to go out exploring, even during the colder months.

This also signifies Swoop’s position in the Canadian aviation sector as being quite prominent where Canadian competition is pretty tough with some new operations beginning to join the scene.