WestJet Group’s takeover of vacation-focused rival Sunwing Airlines has been approved by Canada’s transportation minister, clearing the runway for a major shakeup in the airline industry.
Omar Alghabra gave the Liberal government’s official sign-off on the deal in a press release on Friday afternoon, noting the decision “was not taken lightly.” First announced in March 2022, the deal will see Calgary-based WestJet acquire Toronto’s Sunwing as well as its tour operation business.
Alghabra attached a number of stipulations to the deal as conditions for its approval aimed at addressing concerns about reduced competition and job losses as a result of the deal.
These include extending Sunwing vacation packages to five new Canadian markets, though those cities were not specified in the release.