Sunwing Vacations Group has decided to halt its operations in Cuba indefinitely. This decision follows the group’s previous announcement in April, where Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec stated that they would be canceling all services to Cuba from June 20 to October 9.
In a statement, Sunwing expressed understanding that the news might disappoint guests and travel advisors, especially given the strong bond many Canadians have with Cuba. The company did not attribute the indefinite suspension to the ongoing fuel shortage in Cuba but acknowledged the difficulties faced by locals.
The fuel crisis in Cuba, exacerbated by the U.S.-imposed oil blockade on Venezuela, led to major airlines in Canada suspending flights to Cuba back in February. The lack of oil and diesel in Cuba has severely impacted the country’s energy supply, affecting both aviation fuel and electricity.
AirTransat has also confirmed the continuation of its suspension of services to Cuba until the end of October, with no current availability of packages to the country. Sunwing has assured guests with existing bookings to Cuba that they will be contacted with alternative options, such as rebooking to a different destination or receiving a full refund.