Canada’s small airlines are disappearing into WestJet. What does that mean for travelers?

Some people are questioning the future of air travel in Canada after WestJet confirmed this weekend that it plans to phase out Sunwing Airlines. The news follows the airline’s decision to include its low-cost subsidiary Swoop in its main operation.

Here’s what some experts think WestJet’s moves could mean.

What does WestJet’s move mean for travelers?

It depends on who you ask and what matters to you as an airline passenger, such as value, flight choice, comfort and safety.

WestJet’s move could lead the airline to reduce its costs and raise its prices, said John Gradek, a professor in McGill University’s aviation management program.

“Consolidation is coming. Consumers will have less choice and consumers will pay more,” he told CBC News.

That said, there could be benefits for travelers, too, according to Lesley Keyter, a Calgary travel agent known as the Travel Lady. WestJet will integrate Sunwing’s aircraft under its license, giving it a larger fleet and more pilots.

“I think if they have this big, strong fleet of aircraft available that they can move, I think it will be better for the consumer and more seamless,” Keyter said.

That could help in situations like the one Sunwing ran into last winter, when hundreds of Canadians were stranded in Mexico for days as the airline struggled to move its limited aircraft and crew to different airports during winter weather.

But isn’t more choice better?

With low-cost airlines like Swoop and Sunwing disappearing into bigger ones like WestJet, it may seem like travelers have fewer options.

But the move could also allow WestJet to offer its customers more choice, such as travel packages with different price points and comfort levels, Keyter said.

“I’m a big fan of competition, but competition only works if it’s real competition,” she said.

“Also keep in mind that WestJet still has a big, big competitor in the industry, and that’s Air Canada.”

What will the Canadian aviation industry look like in the future?

According to Gradek, more airlines are likely to consolidate.

“After the pandemic, business was good. Planes are full, fares are high. Airlines are much more comfortable flexing their muscles to try to consolidate and reduce competition,” he said.

Last month, WestJet pilots reached a new deal with the airline that will increase their wages by 24 percent over the next four years.

The airline is now looking to pay for that by cutting costs and possibly streamlining redundant functions at Sunwing, Swoop and WestJet, Gradek said.

Other low-cost carriers such as Flair and Lynx are likely to be in WestJet’s sights, he added.