Former Austrian Airlines boss Alexis von Honsbroch may announce the acquisition soon after it starts in Canada. Sunwing Airlines became part of WestJet.
Alexis von Honsbroch has just started her job as head of WestJet, so she already has big things to announce. The Canadian airline, together with tour operator Sunwing Vacations, acquired smaller competitor Sunwing Airlines. This was announced by the former boss of Austrian Airlines on Wednesday (March 2).
WestJet Vacations and Sunwing Vacations are to be merged as tour operators and run by Sunwing boss Stephen Hunter. On the airline side, the acquisition of Sunwing Airlines “will increase capacity by operating seasonal aircraft year-round in Canada rather than supplementing Sunwing’s seasonal demand with imported aircraft,” it said.
two Boeing-only operators
Until now, Sunwing Airlines has always leased Tui aircraft from Europe seasonally. They were not needed there in winter. The German travel group owns 49 percent of Sunwing Travel Group.
Von Honsbroch, boss of WestJet, says, “We are bringing together two companies with strong brands that complement each other. Sunwings Airlines’ fleet consists of 22 Boeing 737-800s and six Boeing 737 MAX 8s. WestJet has 44 Boeing 737-700s, 38 Boeing 737-800s, 14 Boeing 737 MAX 8s and six Boeing 787-9s.
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