Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations will suspend all flights and vacation packages to Cuba from June 20 through October 9, 2026. The Sunwing Vacations Group, which operates the three brands, announced the decision on April 15. It extends a pause already in place for parts of the summer program and now covers every Cuban destination the companies serve from Canadian gateways.
The move stems from ongoing fuel shortages across the island. Services to Varadero and Cayo Coco will resume on October 10. Flights to Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Largo and Cienfuegos will restart on October 25. All operations remain cancelled in the meantime for every departure city and airport the group uses.
The companies will contact customers who hold bookings during the suspension period. Affected guests receive full refunds to their original form of payment or options to switch to other destinations. Sunwing Vacations Group stated it will continue to monitor conditions in Cuba and provide updates as they become available.
Canadian travelers have formed one of the largest groups of visitors to Cuba in recent years. The suspension removes a major source of summer traffic to the island’s beach resorts at a time when the country already faces reduced arrivals from other markets. Cuba has dealt with persistent shortages of aviation fuel along with gasoline and diesel. The problems have triggered widespread power outages, limited ground transportation and forced some hotels to scale back operations or close sections.
Major Canadian carriers, including Air Canada and Air Transat, began reducing or suspending Cuba flights earlier in 2026 for the same reasons. The Sunwing Vacations Group action brings the pause in line with industry-wide adjustments. The companies noted no safety or security concerns for guests already in Cuba. They emphasized that operations continue as normal to other sun destinations.
Sunwing Vacations Group pointed to strong alternatives in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Starting in early May, the group offers packages to spots such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Punta Cana and Montego Bay from key Canadian cities. The Cuba suspension covers the peak summer travel months. It affects thousands of planned vacations that would have included all-inclusive stays at beachfront resorts in Varadero, Cayo Coco and other areas.
Travel agents who sell Sunwing and WestJet Vacations packages received notices about the changes yesterday. The companies instructed agents to reach out directly to clients with existing reservations. The announcement arrives amid a broader slowdown in Cuba’s tourism sector. Fuel constraints have reduced the number of flights landing on the island and left many resort areas quieter than usual.
Sunwing Vacations Group said it remains committed to the region overall. The operator continues to fly to dozens of warm-weather spots and will redirect capacity to meet demand elsewhere. Customers who booked through October 31 can expect direct communication from the companies or their travel agents within the coming days.
The group advised travelers to check their booking details and contact their provider if they have questions about refunds or rebooking. Cuba tourism officials have not issued a public comment on the latest Canadian suspension. The island continues to promote its beaches and cultural sites to international visitors despite the logistical hurdles.
The Sunwing Vacations Group decision marks the latest in a series of adjustments by Canadian operators. It reflects the practical challenges of operating flights when aviation fuel supplies remain unreliable. Operations are scheduled to restart in stages in October. The phased return will allow the companies to test conditions before full resumption.
Travelers planning Cuba trips for late 2026 can book with confidence that the companies intend to operate the listed routes after the suspension ends. Those with summer plans now have time to rearrange their vacations without penalty. The companies urged patience as they process the large volume of affected bookings. Refunds or rebookings will roll out in the order received, they said.
This marks a significant shift for two of Canada’s largest vacation providers. Both brands built much of their winter and summer schedules around Cuba routes in past years. The pause aligns the summer program with the realities on the ground in Cuba. It avoids stranding passengers or relying on inconsistent fuel deliveries at Cuban airports.
Sunwing Vacations Group expressed appreciation for customer understanding. The operator said it will keep travelers informed of any changes to the October restart plans.
