Swoop president Steven Greenway extended his sincerest apologies after an aircraft taking passengers from 91大黄鸭 to Winnipeg was grounded due to 鈥渦nscheduled maintenance鈥� on Monday. But for many passengers, its too little, too late.
The flight has been rescheduled to take off today鈥攆our days after the debacle.
Travellers were stranded at the 91大黄鸭 International Airport after learning they couldn鈥檛 be rebooked on a Swoop flight鈥攕ome of which were told would be as soon as September 2.
Congratulations on your latest 11 day delay for the flight from 91大黄鸭 to Winnipeg. Your success will ensure plenty people like myself will never step foot on your airline. Swoop... should change your name to Screwed.
鈥� Mike (@intrinsicalmike)
鈥淥n behalf of Swoop, I would like to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience our impacted travellers have experienced due to the unscheduled maintenance to one of our aircraft,鈥� Greenway said.
Damage was found on the body of the plane on Aug. 26, and as safety is Swoop鈥檚 No. 1 priority according to Greenway, the plane was grounded for repairs. The cause of the damage is still under investigation, he said.
be prepared to wait 11 days if your swoop flight is cancelled 馃榿馃榿馃榿
鈥� Lukas Til (@tilek01)
......maybe if you're flying out of the jungle
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鈥淭he grounding of this aircraft caused impacts to our network through Wednesday, Aug. 28.鈥� Greenway said in a statement. 鈥淚n total, seven flights were cancelled.鈥�
The president said Swoop is working to ensure affected passengers are provided with alternative travel arrangements in accordance with the Tariff and Flight Interruption Policies and all impacted travellers have been rebooked on the next available Swoop flight.
Air Passenger Rights founder Gabor Lukacs said not only was the company in the wrong with its response to the cancellation, but it breached its contract and broke the law.
鈥淧assengers affected by this should sue Swoop for damages including meals, accommodation, lost wages and cost of alternative accommodation,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n addition, I encourage affected passengers to seek $1,000 in punitive damages, per passenger, due to Swoop鈥檚 high-handed behaviour.鈥�
Another Swoop Air nightmare. 91大黄鸭 folks rebooked for a flight 7 days later to Winnipeg. Mechanical problems again. Why haven鈥檛 they leased an extra plane after the past problems? Buyer Beware.
鈥� GERRY O'DAY (@GERRYODAY)
Passengers were told Swoop will reimburse the cost of tickets purchased from other airlines as long as they are in the same class of service鈥攂asic economy. Stranded travellers were also provided with vouchers to cover meals, hotels and transportation.
鈥淭he aircraft will return to service on Thursday, Aug. 29,鈥� Greenway said, but many passengers turned to social media to say they have already figured out a way home and many said they will not fly Swoop again.
鈥淪afety will always be at the forefront of our decision making and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience to our impacted travellers.鈥�
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Caitlin.clow@kelownacapnews.com
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