Sunwing Vacations Group has made the decision to halt its operations in Cuba indefinitely. This decision follows the earlier announcement in April by Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec, stating the cancellation of all services to Cuba from June 20 to October 9.
In a statement, Sunwing expressed understanding that the news may disappoint guests and travel advisors, particularly considering the deep connection many Canadians have with Cuba. While the company did not explicitly attribute the indefinite suspension to the ongoing fuel shortage in Cuba, it acknowledged the challenges faced by locals.
Cuba has traditionally been a beloved destination for Sunwing’s guests, and the company expressed concern for the hardships currently experienced by local communities, tourism workers, and industry partners dependent on the sector.
The root cause of the fuel shortage in Cuba can be traced back to February when Canada’s major airlines initially suspended flights to the country. This was due to warnings from Cuban airports about depleting jet fuel supplies, a situation exacerbated by the U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, which disrupted oil shipments to Cuba, leading to a severe shortage of aviation gas and electricity fuel on the island.
Cuba’s energy minister confirmed last month that the nation had entirely exhausted its diesel and oil reserves. AirTransat has also confirmed that its Cuba service will remain suspended until the end of October, with packages to the country currently unavailable for purchase.
Sunwing assured customers with existing bookings to Cuba that they would be contacted with alternative options, including rebooking to a different destination or receiving a full refund.