Sunwing Vacations has announced an extension and expansion of its temporary halt of operations in Cuba due to the ongoing disruption in oil supplies. The suspension affects all services provided by Sunwing Vacations Group, encompassing Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Quebec in Cuba from June 20 to Oct. 9.
Initially scheduled flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco for the summer season have been canceled and will be temporarily on hold until Oct. 10, as confirmed by Sunwing in a recent statement to CBC News. Services to Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Largo, and Cienfuegos are set to resume on Oct. 25.
The company, a subsidiary of WestJet Group, is closely monitoring the situation and will keep customers informed of any updates. Affected travelers will be provided with alternative travel options, with destinations like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay still available.
The disruption in oil supply to Cuba began when Canadian airlines suspended flights to the country in February due to dwindling jet fuel reserves at Cuban airports. WestJet had initially planned to resume services on April 26, but the situation has not improved.
The oil shortage in Cuba was exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which led to a halt in oil shipments to Cuba. Trump’s executive order threatening tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba further exacerbated the fuel crisis, impacting the daily lives of Cuban citizens with widespread blackouts and skyrocketing prices for essential goods.
