The long-awaited start of the American service has turned into a big oops for the low-budget Canadian airline Swoop.

Swoop had planned to start flying in the United States this month, which would make it the first "very low cost carrier" in Canada to start flying to destinations here.

But now, at least two dozen of the first Swoop flights between the United States and Canada have been canceled because regulatory approvals have taken longer than expected.

"We apologize to the travelers affected by the cancellations for their inconvenience and disappointment," said Swoop spokeswoman Karen McIsaac at CBC News. "Our goal is to do what is right and we work directly with the travelers concerned to offer options, including changing the booking on another flight or providing a full refund and compensation. . "

Archives: Canadian economy airline Swoop announces 7 US routes

Swoop flights to the United States were scheduled to begin Oct. 11, between Las Vegas and Edmonton. Six more flights between the United States and Canada had been scheduled for the end of October; flights were to operate from various Canadian airports in Fort Lauderdale; Orlando; Phoenix / Mesa, Arizona; and Tampa.

It is common practice in the airline industry – including US carriers – to unveil new international routes for which government approvals are yet to be obtained. It is rare, however, that approvals fail in time for scheduled flights. We do not know immediately what led to Swoop's delay.

Still, it could have been worse.

In fact, 56 Swoop flights were affected by the regulatory gaffe, according to TravelPulse Canada. However, Swoop was able to transport passengers from 32 of these flights to aircraft operated by WestJet parent company.

Swoop is a wholly owned subsidiary of WestJet, a low-cost carrier that has grown over the past two decades to become Canada's second-largest airline. Swoop began flying in June 2018, offering service on several domestic routes in Canada. The US flights scheduled to begin this month were to be the first of the unit outside of Canada.

Despite the link, Swoop and WestJet operate as separate brands.

For the moment, all flights operated by Swoop have been postponed until 27 October, which Swoop believes will allow him to resume his entire scheduled schedule.

Referring to WestJet's ability to intervene on some of Swoop's flights, four of Swoop's new routes were existing WestJet routes to be switched to Swoop's no-frills service.

The routes from WestJet to Swoop are Edmonton-Las Vegas; Hamilton, Ontario-Las Vegas; Hamilton-Orlando and Edmonton-Phoenix / Mesa.

The other three routes planned by the United States and Canada are: Las Vegas-Abbotsford, British Columbia; Fort Lauderdale-Hamilton and Tampa-Hamilton.

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