Ultra low-cost airline battle heats up as Canada Jetlines prepares to launch

The ultra-low-cost airline battle is heating up as fledgling airline Canada Jetlines prepares to take on WestJet’s efforts to regain its mantle as the country’s low-cost leader. The upstart airline’s CE said Tuesday that WestJet’s discount brand Swoop won’t be able to match its low costs, which will allow prices to average at less than C$100. “This country needs low fares. No doubt about it,” Stan Ganek said. But he said WestJet’s creation of a Swoop division just won’t cut it. “We all know that’s going to be a temporary measure and then when the competition is wiped out, guess what, the airfares go right back up again. So who’s kidding whom?” Gadek said Canada Jetlines will minimise costs by outsourcing everything but pilots and flight attendants. Tickets will only be available on the internet. <br/>