Sunwing Vacations Group has made the decision to halt its operations in Cuba indefinitely. This move follows the previous announcement made by Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec in April, where they disclosed the cancellation of all services to Cuba from June 20 until October 9.
In a statement, Sunwing expressed understanding that this news might disappoint both guests and travel advisors, especially considering the strong bond many Canadians have with Cuba and its people. While the company did not specifically attribute the indefinite suspension to the ongoing fuel shortage in Cuba, it acknowledged the challenges faced by locals.
Cuba has historically been a beloved destination for Sunwing’s guests, and the company is mindful of the current difficulties experienced by local communities, tourism workers, and industry partners dependent on the sector.
Major Canadian airlines initially ceased flights to Cuba in February due to warnings from Cuban airports about depleting jet fuel supplies. The disruption in oil shipments to Cuba resulting from the U.S.-imposed oil blockade under Nicolás Maduro has severely impacted the nation’s aviation gas and electricity supply.
According to Cuba’s energy minister, the island nation recently depleted its reserves of diesel and oil. Additionally, AirTransat has confirmed the ongoing suspension of its Cuba services until the end of October, with no current availability of packages to the country.
Sunwing assured that customers with existing bookings for trips to Cuba will be contacted with alternative options, including the possibility of rebooking to a different destination or receiving a full refund.