Swoop airline re-starts high demand service between Hamilton and Las Vegas

Swoop flight WO 802 took off from Hamilton, Canada, on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. EDT to re-start what the company says are high demand non-stop flights between Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport and Hamilton's John C. Munro International Airport.

Officials from the leading Canadian ultra-low-cost airline were thrilled to be resuming the service.

"Today's celebration reinforces our commitment to Canadian travelers and the Hamilton community, providing more convenient options for residents to enjoy weekend getaways and long-awaited vacations,” said Bert van der Stege, Head of Commercial and Finance, Swoop.

The airline has been busy this summer with a significant network expansion, connecting southwestern Ontario with top-tier American cities. This service restart will be a welcome addition to the 11 other destinations served from Hamilton.

Established in 2018, the airline celebrated four years of air travel this week with two inaugural flights departing from Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Swoop flight WO370 arrived in Deer Lake, Newfoundland, and Swoop flight WO750 landed for the very first time in the Big Apple, at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

"Canadians are excited to travel again this summer, and after two years of restrictions, we've seen record demand for getaways across the border," continued van der Stege. “This restart reinforces the incredible growth trajectory we're experiencing, as ultra-low fares continue to unlock new opportunities for Canadians to explore America's largest cities."

"Vegas has long been enjoyed as a one-stop-shop destination for world-class events, unrivaled entertainment, and unique experiences and with Swoop's ultra-not-expensive fares, travelers are able to spend the savings on themselves and indulge in all that the fabulous city has to offer," says Cole Horncastle, Executive Managing Director of John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.

"International travel continues to be a key component of Las Vegas' recovery, and we look forward to welcoming more flights from Canada, our top international market for visitation prior to the pandemic,” said H. Fletch Brunelle, vice president of marketing and sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Swoop is an independent subsidiary of the WestJet Group of Companies. The airline's fleet of ten Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft will grow to 16 with the addition of six Boeing MAX-8 in 2022.

Navy seeks to replace T-38C Talon trainer

The U.S. Navy is following in the footsteps of the Air Force in an effort to find a replacement for their T-38C Talon aircraft trainers.

In September 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract to supply T-7A Red Hawk aircraft and training simulators to replace the aging T-38C Talon trainer. The T-7A Red Hawk is an all-new advanced pilot training system designed for the U.S. Air Force that will train the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots for decades to come.

On Thursday, the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Specialized and Proven Aircraft Program Office, released a Request For Information (RFI) document seeking information regarding industry’s ability to provide a replacement for their T-38C Talon aircraft.

The first T-38 was produced in 1961 and the last rolled off the Northrop assembly line in 1972.

The Navy is looking for full spectrum logistical support (i.e. maintenance, training, publications, etc.) for a new aircraft on site at government provided facilities to be used as a key tool for future test pilot and flight test engineer training at the United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS).

The T-38C replacement at USNTPS is unofficially being called the Test Advanced Jet (TAJ), the Navy said in the RFI. “The purpose of this RFI is to determine the feasibility and estimated cost for the TAJ and full spectrum logistical support for a contractor-owned, government operated service-based contract. The TAJ is considered a graduate-level trainer and should be able to fulfill the requirements set forth in the USNTPS fixed-wing syllabus, to include on-deck and airborne handling/flying qualities, performance, and mission systems testing.”

In general, a minimum of five, fully mission capable aircraft will be required daily to support a total of approximately 1,000 hours per fiscal year, the Navy said in the document.

Companies interested in responding to the RFI are invited to submit a capability statement to the Navy by July 22.

Swoop airline celebrates four-year anniversary with first landing in New York

Canada's leading ultra-low-cost airline, Swoop, continues to make strides in its mission to make travel more affordable and accessible for all Canadians. Established in 2018, the airline celebrated four years of air travel recently with two inaugural flights departing from Toronto's Pearson International Airport.

Swoop flight WO370 arrived in Deer Lake, Newfoundland, and Swoop flight WO750 landed for the very first time in the Big Apple, at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Swoop has proudly served over four million travelers, connected Canadians to 33 destinations in five different countries with a total of 52 routes currently operating, and over 28,000 flights operated since its first flight on June 20, 2018.

President of Swoop, Bob Cummings, celebrating the anniversary stated, "Swoop has expanded rapidly this year to meet the unprecedented demand for air travel that Canadians have missed out on for two long years. We are so thrilled to celebrate our fourth birthday across our newly expanded network with travelers and airport partners, and with a special celebration in America's largest metropolis, New York City. With a young fleet of 16 Boeing 737 aircraft in service by the end of the summer, there is much more ultra-affordable travel to come.

"With thousands of Canadians boarding Swoop aircraft each day on their way to reconnect with friends and family, we're proud to know that we're enabling more travel than ever before, through ultra-convenient and ultra-affordable fares," continued Cummings. "Swoop's success would not be possible without the support of Canadian travelers, airport partners, and of course our people, our Swoopsters, who share in our mission of making air travel more accessible and affordable."

Swoop is an independent subsidiary of the WestJet Group. The airline's fleet of ten Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft will grow to 16 with the addition of six Boeing MAX-8 this year.