Sunwing Vacations has decided to prolong and expand the halt in its operations in Cuba due to the ongoing disruption in oil supplies to the popular tourist destination. The suspension now includes all operations of Sunwing Vacations Group, which encompasses Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Quebec in Cuba from June 20 to Oct. 9.
Initially scheduled flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco for the summer season have been canceled and put on hold. Services to these destinations are set to resume on Oct. 10, as stated in an email response to CBC News by Sunwing. Additionally, services to Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Largo, and Cienfuegos are expected to resume on Oct. 25, with the company closely monitoring the situation for further updates.
Sunwing Vacations Group, a subsidiary of WestJet Group, will contact all affected customers with alternative options. The company assures travelers that trips to other popular vacation spots such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay are still available.
The disruption in oil supplies to Cuba began in February when Canadian airlines suspended flights to the island due to fuel shortages at Cuban airports. WestJet had initially planned to resume operations to Cuba on April 26.
The oil supply crisis was exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, leading to a cutoff of Cuba’s oil supply from Venezuela. Trump later issued an executive order threatening tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba, further restricting the nation’s access to fuel. This crisis has had a significant impact on the daily lives of Cubans, resulting in intermittent nationwide blackouts and sharp price increases for essential goods.
