Sunwing Vacations has extended and expanded its halt of operations in Cuba due to the island’s ongoing oil supply issues. The suspension affects all services by Sunwing Vacations Group, including Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Quebec, from June 20 to Oct. 9. Flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco for the summer season have been canceled and will resume on Oct. 10, according to a statement from Sunwing to CBC News.
Furthermore, flights to Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Largo, and Cienfuegos will restart on Oct. 25. The company stated that it will keep a close watch on the situation and provide updates as necessary. Sunwing Vacations Group, a subsidiary of WestJet Group, is managing its vacation operations.
Sunwing assured that affected customers will be offered alternative solutions, while emphasizing that trips to popular destinations like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay are still available. The grounding of flights to Cuba began in February after airports on the island reported fuel shortages. WestJet had previously announced plans to resume services on April 26.
The disruption in Cuba’s oil supply was triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, leading to restricted access to oil for Cuba. Trump’s subsequent executive order imposed tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba, exacerbating the fuel crisis in the nation. This situation has adversely affected the daily lives of Cuban residents, resulting in sporadic blackouts and skyrocketing prices for essential goods.
