Canada's "first true ultra-low-cost carrier" will kick off this summer with service in and out of Abbotsford, Hamilton, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Halifax.

In joint press conferences held in Hamilton and Abbotsford, officials froom WestJet Swoop said service will launch June 20, 2018 with six weekly flights between both Abbotsford and Hamilton and between Hamilton and Halifax. Six weekly flights between Hamilton and Edmonton and between Hamilton and Winnipeg start June 25.

It's a revolutionary move in Canada that pits Swoop and its WestJet backers against upstart ultra-low-cost Flair Airlines, which is already flying, and Canada Jetlines, which hopes to begin service soon. It's also a huge boon to Canadians who haven't had access to the kind of low fares offered by the likes of Ryanair, Spirit or other bare-bones airlines.

"Swoop is travel without the flair,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive VicePresident, Strategy and the executive member responsible for the launch of Swoop. “Buy the seat and customize the features you want. Why would you jet with anyone else? Canadians can book with us knowing that we have modern aircraft, strong financial backing and an experienced team that will get you there and back. All at fares that won't break the bank."

Swoop’s service between Abbotsford and Edmonton will start July 25, 2018 and will operate three-times daily. Overall, the airline will have 45 weekly flights: 24 weekly flights from Hamilton and 27 from Abbotsford; a major boost for both airlines and a nice allternative for Canadians who don't want to mess with Vancouver International or Toronto Pearson.

On top of frequent service, Swoop is celebrating its birth by offering the first 2,000 seats at limited $0 fares (as in free) plus taxes and fees (each way) on launch routes. Seats are now available for purchase on www.flyswoop.com.

"To confirm, this is not a typo – a limited number of introductory fares will be available where the customer will only pay the associated taxes and fees," Swoop officials said.

Introductory fares (as in, not the 2,000 free ones) include $99 fares (including taxes and fees) between Hamilton and Abbotsford and $99 between Halifax and Hamilton. Those fares are valid only until Feb. 3 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.

Routes will operate on Swoop's fleet of modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 189 seats. Fares will be quite low but passengers will pay for extras.

"Features for purchase include a bag, movies and Wi-Fi, more legroom or less, and buy-on-board snacks and beverages. Bringing a small personal item on board is free."

“Today is the first day that a real ULCC is now available to Canadians,” said Cummings. “We thank our launch airports for their support in getting Swoop off the ground. Low cost is the key and Hamilton and Abbotsford are examples to be followed. Keeping costs low so that the savings can be passed on to the travellers is what Swoop is all about. These airports are on the exact same page as us and we have worked side by side to make today happen.”

Flair Airlines already is flying in the ULCC category in Canada. Canada Jetlines is hoping to join them in the low-cost market, although some analysts see WestJet's Swoop move as a way to keep the other airlines from truly establishing themselves.

Officials have said they expect net savings for customers (they're targetting young families and millennials) to be in the 30 to 40 per cent range. That could help Swoop and WestJet capture some of the market share that has been lost by folks who drive to the U.S. to take advantage of low fares out of Niagara Falls, Bellingham, Washington and other American airports near the Canadian border.

In a story posted in the Financial Post last year, WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky said ancillary fees on Swoop will be similar to those of ultra low-cost airlines in the U.S.

“We envision a world where Swoop will fly mostly different markets than WestJet, but we have also built the possibility for it to supplement some of the WestJet schedule in major cities,” Saretsky said.

While Thursday's announcement is for customers at the low end of the spending spectrum, WestJet earlier this week announced it's taking on the likes of Air Canada with new flights from Halifax to Paris (its first foray into continental Europe) and London Gatwick.

“Yes, we’re going in both directions," Znotis said in an exclusive interview with TravelPulse Canada. "One of the reasons the airline business is more successful these days is airlines are increasingly able to segment things and add features a la carte. Some guests just want the lowest cost possible. But that range goes all the way to the 787, where guests might want a flat bed because they’ll be working on arrival and want a good night’s sleep on the way to Europe. There’s the whole spectrum, and each of those guests want good value."