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WestJet Airlines Ltd. began selling tickets for its ultra low-cost carrier Swoop on Thursday, the first major step in the airline’s plan to build up the price-sensitive segment of Canada’s air travel market.

Swoop, which WestJet said will remain distinct from its mainline operations with separate employees and check-in counters at airports, will begin flying passengers on June 20.

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The carrier will offer six weekly flights from Hamilton to Abbotsford, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Halifax; six weekly flights from Abbotsford to Hamilton; and three daily flights between Abbotsford and Edmonton. The airline also announced a headline-grabbing promotion on Thursday, offering the first 2,000 seats on Swoop for $0, but leaving passengers on the hook to pay for taxes and any other additional fees.

Bob Cummings, WestJet’s executive vice president of strategy overseeing the Swoop launch, said more domestic and southern destinations — such as Mexico and the southern U.S. — will be added to the Swoop lineup in the coming year. He said the focus for the new carrier is on attracting cost-sensitive fliers and those travelling to nearby U.S. cities, like Buffalo, New York and Bellingham, Wash., for cheaper flights.