Sunwing Vacations Group has decided to halt its operations in Cuba indefinitely. This decision follows the announcement made by the group, including Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec in April, stating the cancellation of all services to Cuba from June 20 to October 9.
In a statement, Sunwing expressed understanding that this news may disappoint travelers and travel advisors, especially considering the strong bond many Canadians have with Cuba and its residents. While the company did not directly attribute the indefinite suspension to the ongoing fuel shortage in Cuba, it acknowledged the challenges faced by locals.
Cuba has traditionally been a beloved destination for Sunwing’s guests, and the company is mindful of the difficulties currently encountered by local communities, tourism employees, and industry partners reliant on the sector.
The major Canadian airlines initially halted flights to Cuba in February due to warnings from Cuban airports about dwindling jet fuel supplies. The interruption in oil shipments to Cuba, caused by the U.S. capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, severed the island nation’s access to aviation gas and electricity grid fuel.
Last month, Cuba’s energy minister confirmed that the country had exhausted its diesel and oil reserves. AirTransat also confirmed the ongoing suspension of its Cuba service until the end of October, with no current availability of packages to the country for sale.
For travelers with existing bookings to Cuba through Sunwing, the company will reach out to provide alternative options, such as rebooking to a different destination or receiving a full refund.
