History
Sunwing Vacations started its in-house airline in November 2005 using Boeing 737-800s to operate flights from Canada to the USA, Mexico, the Caribbean, as well as domestic flights. Since then, its President is Mark Williams, who previously was President of Skyservice and had also worked with Wardair and Canadian Airlines.
Sunwing Airlines merged with Signature and SellOffVacations on September 29, 2009, consequently signing a partnership deal with UK-based TUI Travel which acquired 49% of Sunwing Travel and a 25% voting interest in the venture.
In December 2010 parent company Sunwing Travel Group acquired Caribbean Nexus Tours, one of the leading ground handlers and incoming tour operator in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, giving more destination tour choices and flexibility to the Sunwing Group.
Sunwing began to compete with Air Transat in operating summer charter flights between Canada and European destination in the summer of 2011. Two Boeing 767-300ER were leased from EuroAtlantic Airways for these services, which connected Toronto to Lisbon, London, Paris, Dublin, Rome, Porto and Amsterdam, as well as Montreal to Paris. These flights will resume in the summer of 2012, with Glasgow and Barcelona added to the list of European destinations, while all flights from Montreal to Paris will now be operated in partnership with sister company Corsairfly.
In February 2012 Sunwing Travel Group announced the 100% acquisition of United States-based Vacation Express. This acquisition will allow Sunwing Airlines to have a more even revenue flow throughout the year, especially during the slower summer months in Canada. Vacation Express' peak selling period being during the summer months, counter-seasonal to Canada. It will operate flights from Atlanta, Cincinnati and Nashville to Cancun, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay. All flights will be operated on Fridays, Saturday, Sundays & Mondays. The service is scheduled from May 25 to October 27, 2012.
As of April 2012, Sunwing Airlines employs over 1800 staff.
In early 2013 Sunwing announced the termination of its seasonal flights to Europe.
Read more about this topic: Sunwing Airlines
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