Sunwing cancels all winter flights out of Regina with a few exceptions

Sunwing has cancelled most of its flights out of Regina for the rest of the winter.

Some of the passengers who are affected had to rebook in February or March after Sunwing’s first round of cancellations in late December — and now their rebooked trips are also cancelled.

“Due to extenuating circumstances, we regret to inform our customers in Regina that we are cancelling the remainder of our winter program from Regina International Airport, effective February 4, 2023,” the airline said in an emailed statement to 980 CJME.

“This impacts weekly flights from Regina to Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, with the exception of Sunday departures to Puerto Vallarta starting on February 5th, and the following flights scheduled for Family Day weekend departures to Puerto Vallarta on February 17th, Mazatlan on February 17th, and Cancun on February 18th and February 20th, which will operate as planned.”

The email said there were some exceptions, however — and perhaps that provides some hope for passengers affected by the cancellations.

“With the exception of customers scheduled to depart from Regina on Family Day weekend, and customers with Sunday bookings to Puerto Vallarta, Sunwing is offering impacted customers the ability to transfer their vacation package to same-day departures from Winnipeg, Saskatoon or other Canadian airports at originally booked pricing, pending availability,” the statement said.

“Alternatively, customers can choose to cancel their vacations for a full refund to their original form of payment, if preferred.”

The airline said customers can call their local travel agent or the Sunwing Sales Centre (1-877-786-9464) for assistance.

“We sincerely apologize to our valued customers and airport partner in Regina for the inconvenience and disruption,” the airline said. “Following the preliminary cancellations in January, the difficult decision to cancel more of our winter program was necessary due to operational and business constraints that would prevent us from delivering the standards of service our customers in Regina expect and deserve when travelling with Sunwing.”

The airline added it planned to re-establish its full program from Regina for the 2023-24 winter season.

The news broke when Sunwing sent an email to travel agents, a copy of which was obtained by 980 CJME.

(Submitted)

James Bogusz, the president and CEO of the Regina Airport Authority, said he hadn’t heard anything about the latest round of cancellations.

On Dec. 29, Sunwing announced it was cancelling its operations out of Regina and Saskatoon until Feb. 3. With their flights scrubbed, the airline’s passengers were stranded in airports and in other countries and had to find another way home.