WestJet’s decision to shut down Sunwing A irlines and fold it into its main operations could mean less service and higher fares — particularly in Western Canada and smaller cities across the country, experts say.
Given the narrower flight options and pricier tickets likely to result from a merger of former competitors, the latest move is “not good news” for consumers looking to head to warmer destinations, said John Gradek, who teaches at McGill University’s aviation management program.
WestJet completed its acquisition of Sunwing’s main airline and vacation divisions last month in a major consolidation of the Canadian aviation market. As a condition of Ottawa’s sign-off on the deal, the parties pledged to maintain capacity on the most affected routes and keep both the Sunwing Vacations head office in Toronto and a regional one in Montreal for at least five years.
But aviation consultant Rick Erickson said he thinks that rival carriers will ensure a healthy mix of competition for sun destinations, with some fares barely affected. Nonetheless, travellers in smaller markets ranging from Saskatoon to St. John’s, N.L. may have to shell out more, said Erickson.
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