Sunwing Vacations has announced an extension and expansion of its operational pause in Cuba due to the ongoing disruption in oil supply to the popular tourist destination. Operations for all entities under the Sunwing Vacations Group umbrella, including Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Quebec, have been canceled in Cuba from June 20 to Oct. 9. Additionally, flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco for the summer season have been halted, with services set to resume on Oct. 10, as confirmed by Sunwing in a statement to CBC News.
The company is planning to restart services to Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Largo, and Cienfuegos on Oct. 25, while closely monitoring the situation for any updates. Sunwing Vacations Group, a subsidiary of WestJet Group, is ensuring that affected customers are provided with alternative options, including trips to destinations like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay.
The suspension of flights to Cuba by Canadian airlines began in February after Cuban airports reported a shortage of jet fuel. WestJet had previously disclosed plans to resume operations to Cuba on April 26 after winding down its winter services.
The interruption in oil supply to Cuba was exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, leading to restrictions on oil sales to Cuba and the imposition of tariffs on countries supplying oil to the Cuban government. This oil crisis has had a significant impact on the daily lives of Cuban residents, causing occasional countrywide blackouts and escalating prices for essential food items.