Sunwing Vacations Group has decided to halt its operations in Cuba for an indefinite period. This decision follows the earlier announcement made by the group, including Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec, which stated the cancellation of all services to Cuba from June 20 to Oct. 9. The Sunwing statement expressed understanding for the disappointment this news may bring to guests and travel advisors, acknowledging the strong bond many Canadians have with Cuba and its people.
Although Sunwing did not explicitly attribute the indefinite suspension to the ongoing fuel shortage in Cuba, the company pointed out the challenges faced by locals. The statement highlighted the significance of Cuba as a beloved destination for their guests and emphasized the current difficulties experienced by local communities, tourism workers, and industry partners who depend on the sector.
The major Canadian airlines had initially ceased flights to Cuba in February due to the fuel shortage issue, which arose when Cuban airports issued warnings about depleting jet fuel supplies. The disruption in oil shipments to Cuba, caused by the U.S. capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, led to a critical shortage of aviation gas and fuel for the island nation’s power grid.
Recently, Cuba’s energy minister confirmed that the country had completely depleted its diesel and oil reserves. AirTransat also informed CBC News that its Cuba service would remain suspended until the end of October, with no current availability for travel packages to the country. Sunwing assured customers with existing bookings for Cuba trips that they would be contacted to discuss alternative options, such as rescheduling to a different destination or receiving a full refund.