Sunwing Vacations Group has decided to halt its operations in Cuba indefinitely. This decision follows the previous announcement made by the group in April, which included Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec, about the cancellation of all services to Cuba from June 20 to Oct. 9.
In a statement, Sunwing expressed understanding that this news might disappoint guests and travel advisors, especially considering the strong ties many Canadians have with Cuba and its people. While the company did not directly attribute the indefinite suspension to the ongoing fuel shortage in Cuba, it acknowledged the difficulties faced by locals.
The company highlighted the challenges currently being experienced by local communities, tourism workers, and industry partners in Cuba. The fuel crisis in Cuba, which began when airports on the island warned of depleting jet fuel supplies in February, stemmed from the U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, leading to a halt in oil shipments to Cuba.
According to the country’s energy minister, Cuba had completely exhausted its diesel and oil reserves last month. AirTransat also confirmed that its Cuba services remain suspended until the end of October, with no packages currently available for purchase. Sunwing stated that guests with existing bookings to Cuba would be contacted with alternative options, such as rebooking to another destination or receiving a full refund.
