By the Caribbean Journal staff

WestJet’s new low-cost carrier, Swoop, is launching its first-ever nonstop flights to Mexico — including the Mexican Caribbean.

Beginning in January, the carrier will launch twice-weekly flights from Hamilton to Puerto Vallarta, and thrice-weekly flights from Hamilton to Cancun.

Swoop is also adding flights from Abbotsford International Airport to Puerto Vallarta twice weekly and to Mazatlan twice weekly beginning in January.

Hamilton’s Cancun flights will launch Jan. 14, while the Hamilton-Puerto Vallarta flights will begin operating Jan. 8, according to the company.

The news comes just after Swoop announced plans to launch its first-ever Caribbean flights to Montego Bay beginning Dec. 16.

“Mexico continues to flourish as one of the most popular vacation destinations for Canadians,” said Steven Greenway, President of Swoop. “Combining Swoop’s ultra-low fare with the favorable exchange between the dollar and peso makes the value proposition of exploring Mexico enticing for families and budget travelers alike.”

Swoop’s flights are positioned as significantly lower than even WestJet’s fares.

“ASUR is delighted to welcome Swoop in Cancún International Airport,” said ASUR, the company that manages a host of airports in Mexico including Cancun and Mazatlan. “We are certain that the Abbotsford and Hamilton routes will be very successful. We are looking forward to having Swoop in our airport for the long run, and with operations from those origins and many more in the near future.”