Canada approves WestJet's purchase of Sunwing Airlines

Canada’s government said on Friday it approved airline WestJet Group’s acquisition of rival Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations, subject to strict terms and conditions.

Those terms include requirements to maintain capacity on routes most affected by the merger and improving baggage handling for better passenger experience, Transport Canada, the country’s aviation regulator, said in a statement.

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“We are pleased that the regulatory review of the transaction is now complete,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate & Sustainability Officer. “We thank the Minister of Transport and the Commissioner of Competition, and the staff of Transport Canada, the Competition Bureau, and the Canadian Transportation Agency, for their efforts to review the transaction.”