Sunwing Vacations Group has made the decision to halt its operations in Cuba indefinitely. This announcement follows the earlier cancellation of all services to Cuba by Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec from June 20 to October 9. The group expressed understanding that this news may disappoint travelers and travel advisors, given the strong bond many Canadians have with Cuba and its people.
While Sunwing did not explicitly attribute the indefinite suspension to the ongoing fuel shortage in Cuba, the company acknowledged the challenges faced by locals. The statement emphasized the significance of Cuba as a beloved destination for their guests and expressed concern for the hardships being experienced by local communities, tourism workers, and industry partners reliant on the sector.
The disruption in fuel supply to Cuba, stemming from the U.S. blockade that cut off oil shipments following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, led to major Canadian airlines suspending flights to the island in February. The impact of this situation has been severe, with Cuba’s energy minister confirming last month that the country had depleted its diesel and oil reserves.
AirTransat has also confirmed the continuation of its suspension of services to Cuba until the end of October, with no current availability for packages to the nation. Sunwing has assured guests with existing bookings to Cuba that they will be contacted to discuss alternative options, including rebooking to a different destination or receiving a full refund.
