Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations extend Cuba cancellations

The airlines are looking to resume operations to the beleaguered island in the fall

Published Apr 16, 2026  •  Last updated 39 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

File photo of WestJet planes Photo by Gavin Young /Postmedia

Cuba is being cut from two popular vacation groups until later this year.

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The Sunwing Vacations Group, which includes Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations and WestJet Vacations Quebec, is set to cancel its operations in Cuba from June 20 through Oct. 9 for all departure cities and airports, the company said.

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The cancellations include flights and holiday packages to popular destinations like Varadero and Cayo Coco.

With the Cuba hiatus, the company noted its packages to other tropical destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America continue.

“Starting in early May 2026, guests can enjoy seamless access to top vacation hotspots including Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Punta Cana, Montego Bay, and more,” the company said.

When will services resume?

The Sunwing Vacation Group’s services to Varadero and Cayo Coco are scheduled to resume on Oct. 10.

Services to other Cuban destinations Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Largo and Cienfuegos will resume two weeks later on Oct. 25.

Anyone who scheduled a Sunwing or WestJet vacation to Cuba between now and Oct. 31 will be contacted about alternative options.

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Customers who have made a group booking will be contacted by a group sales representative to review their options.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further information as soon as it becomes available,” the company added. “Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

General view of an almost empty street during a nation wide blackout in Havana on March 22, 2026. (Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images) Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP /Getty Images

Other airlines cancelling Cuba

WestJet and Air Transat had previously suspended the restart of flights to Cuba, while Air Canada has pushed back the return of its Cuba service until at least Nov. 1, due to the ongoing fuel crisis that is crippling the Caribbean island.

A Global Affairs Canada advisory has warned Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to Cuba “due to worsening shortages of fuel, electricity, and basic necessities including food, water, and medicine,” which it said can also affect services at resorts.

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Flair will still get you there

However, not all is lost for those determined to head to Cuba. Flair Airlines has been given the green light by the Canadian Transportation Agency to operate scheduled international flights to the beleaguered Caribbean nation.

In its decision, the agency noted that it is satisfied that the budget airline meets all the applicable requirements to operate the flights.

The licence is subject to the conditions set out in the Air Transport Regulations.

No launch dates or flight schedules were made available.

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