Sunwing Vacations has decided to extend and expand its halt of operations in Cuba due to the ongoing shortage of oil supply in the popular tourist destination. The suspension of all operations by Sunwing Vacations Group, which includes Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Quebec, in Cuba has been prolonged from June 20 to Oct. 9.
Initially scheduled flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco for the summer season have also been suspended by the company and are expected to resume on Oct. 10, as stated in an email to CBC News on Thursday. Service to Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Largo, and Cienfuegos will restart on Oct. 25, with the company closely monitoring the situation for any updates.
Sunwing Vacations Group, a vacation division of WestJet Group, will be in touch with all affected customers to provide alternative options. Trips to other vacation spots like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay are still available for travelers.
The decision to suspend flights to Cuba was first made by Canada’s major airlines in February when Cuban airports reported a shortage of jet fuel. WestJet had announced the winding down of winter operations to Cuba, with plans to resume services on April 26.
The oil supply cut-off to Cuba was a result of U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, affecting the country’s access to crude oil. President Trump later imposed tariffs on countries selling oil to the Cuban government, exacerbating the fuel crisis in Cuba.
The shortage of oil has had severe repercussions on the daily lives of locals, leading to occasional nation-wide blackouts and a surge in prices of essential goods.