Low-cost airline Swoop comes to Comox Valley, B.C.
Travellers looking for low-cost air transportation between Vancouver Island and Alberta have a new option as of Thursday.
The first flight of Swoop Airlines between Comox and Edmonton arrived Thursday morning bringing a planeload of travellers into the Comox Valley. It then returned with a full flight of passengers headed to Alberta.
Comox Valley Airport CEO Mike Atkins says the introduction of the service comes after many years of effort.
"We’ve been planning this for a while now," said Atkins. "As you know it’s been a hard two years for the airport, and the entire travel industry, but travel is returning and we’re so glad that Swoop is part of it."
The airline will be flying Boeing 737s twice each week, making the treks on Thursdays and Sundays with a capacity of 189 seats.
"The ultra-low-cost model gets people that couldn’t normally afford to travel to travel, so visiting friends and family or a shopping trip," Atkins said.
The airport CEO says he expects the new route to be a great way to keep families connected between the two provinces.
"The people who are moving here, they’ve got friends and family that they leave behind, so [there's] also inbound friends and family coming to see their family here, grandparents, kids, that’s what we tend to see," he said.
The first Swoop flight to land at the Comox Valley Airport on Vancouver Island is shown. June 9, 2022 (CTV News)
FUTURE EXPANSION
A quick check of the company’s website shows flights available in the coming months from $77 to $227. Flights are slated to increase from twice a week to four days a week beginning in August.
Swoop’s senior manager of airports, Ryan Hubbard, says flight frequency will depend on passenger demand.
"If we can keep filling these planes and start with the frequency that we put out there we’re really open to adding to that, but if we’re not filling then we’re open to bringing them down," he said.
Hubbard says six new aircraft were added to the company’s fleet to allow for their expansion to happen to locations including Comox.
"We’re really looking forward to the support of the community and making sure that people are using the service, and then we’re going to stick around and have a long term partnership here," he said.
The airport’s CEO also has his sights set on the airline expanding its services.
"Swoop is an ultra-low-cost carrier, [it] does often introduce new routes, and we’d love to see them service the Comox Valley and get more flights to sun destinations," said Atkins.
"I think that’s something we all deserve after our tough two years."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.