OTTAWA –
The Competition Bureau says WestJet’s proposed acquisition of Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines is prone to end in a considerable lessening or prevention of competitors within the sale of trip packages to Canadians.
The regulator says that eliminating the rivalry between the built-in airways and tour operators would possible end in elevated costs, much less alternative and reduces in service for Canadians.
It says it might additionally possible end in a big discount in journey by Canadians on a wide range of routes the place their present journey networks overlap.
WestJet introduced a plan in March to purchase Sunwing, a transfer that might bolster its vacation tour enterprise. Financial phrases of the settlement, which might see Sunwing’s shareholders develop into fairness holders within the WestJet Group, weren’t disclosed.
The regulator’s issues had been outlined in a report delivered to the Minister of Transport. Transport Canada can be conducting a public curiosity evaluate of the proposed transaction.
The closing determination concerning the deal can be made by cupboard, based mostly on a advice from the minister.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Oct. 26, 2022.