WestJet brings back former exec to helm budget carrier Swoop
BNN Bloomberg
The WestJet Group says it has hired Bob Cummings to reprise his role as president of discount subsidiary Swoop.
The WestJet Group says it has hired Bob Cummings to reprise his role as president of discount subsidiary Swoop.
He replaces Charles Duncan, who is transitioning into a new position as executive vice-president of integration and strategic projects after 24 months atop Swoop.
Cummings oversaw the budget airline's launch in 2018 after 13 years at WestJet, where he has held several executive titles.
He returns to an upended market, now crowded by ultra-low-cost competitors Flair Airlines and Lynx Air, which made its maiden voyage last week.
John Gradek, head of McGill University's aviation management program, says both those fast-growing rivals have Swoop in their sights, with all three offering a slew of routes across Western Canada from their home turf in Alberta.
He says Cummings understands the business and knows the culture at Swoop.
