The federal government in Ottawa said it will conduct a public interest review of WestJet Airlines
proposed acquisition of Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations.
In a written statement, the government said the review will be done with input from the
Commissioner of Competition, who will assess impacts of the proposed deal on competition.
The assessment will include consultations with industry and other stakeholders, other
government departments, other levels of government, as well as the public.
Transport Canada has been given until December 5 to complete the review and provide it to the
transport minister, who would then provide a recommendation to cabinet concerning the
proposed acquisition, which requires regulatory approval.
WestJet announced in March that it plans to buy Sunwing, a move that would bolster its holiday
tour business. Financial terms of the deal, which would see Sunwing's shareholders become
equity holders in privately held WestJet, have not been disclosed.
Under the deal, WestJet has said it plans to create a new tour operator unit based in Toronto
that would include Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations as separate brands.
The airline has said it would also expand to include Sunwing Airlines, adding capacity as it turns
seasonally operated aircraft into year-round jets.
