Canadian ultra-low-cost-carrier Swoop has kicked off its first-ever service to the Caribbean communist island of Cuba.

Swoop is now operating flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport in Cuba’s all-inclusive hub of Varadero. The new service is operating twice weekly with flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The lowest one-way base fare is about CAD$159.

Bob Cummings, president of Swoop, commented that, “as Canada’s favourite sun and fun ultra-low-cost carrier, we are thrilled to celebrate our launch into Cuba”.

He explained that, “Varadero is widely known as a Canadian favourite for affordable beach vacations, and so we’re proud to provide Torontonians a new ultra-convenient, ultra-not-expensive option for travel to Playa Azul”.

In his response to the move, the Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto, Lessner Gomez remarked, “we are thrilled to have Swoop flying to Cuba, it means additional airlift to our country and a growth opportunity to the destination. There is a large part of the market that like to explore Cuba on their own and now they can take advantage of these affordable prices and satisfy their travel needs.”

Swoop has a fleet of 10 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft and another six Boeing 737-Max-8 aircraft.