Sunwing Vacations has announced an extended suspension of its operations in Cuba due to the ongoing disruption in oil supply. The suspension affects all services by Sunwing Vacations Group, including Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Quebec in Cuba from June 20 to Oct. 9. Flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco for the summer season are also on hold, with operations set to resume on Oct. 10. Services to Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Largo, and Cienfuegos will restart on Oct. 25.
The company, a subsidiary of WestJet Group, will monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary. Affected customers will receive alternative options, while trips to destinations like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay remain unaffected. Canadian airlines had initially suspended flights to Cuba in February due to fuel shortages at Cuban airports.
The oil supply disruption in Cuba stems from U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which restricted Cuba’s access to oil. Trump’s executive order imposing tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba exacerbated the situation, leading to an oil crisis affecting locals’ daily lives with blackouts and rising grocery prices.