Sunwing Update – Eastern Cuba

Sunwing continues to closely monitor Hurricane Irma and its impact on the destinations that it operates to.

Eastern Cuba is now under a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning.

The Cuban Government has prioritized evacuation from the cayos (or islands) where we currently have customers: Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria.

Sunwing indicates that it was also informed that all airports in the affected region were closed at 5 pm yesterday evening (Thurs., Sept. 7).

Consequently, the local authorities advised the company to make arrangements to transfer its passengers from the above destinations to Varadero where they were overnighted in all-inclusive hotels and then will be flown home today (Fri., Sept. 8).

Varadero International Airport is expected to remain open during this period.

To summarize, we will be adding 10 flights to repatriate our customers as follows:

• Special flights to Cayo Coco, Holguin and Cayo Santa Maria will now be operating today to repatriate customers originally scheduled to return today (Fri. Sept. 8).
• Customers that were scheduled to return to Canada from Cayo Coco or Cayo Santa Maria on Sept. 9 or Sept. 10 have been transferred to alternative all inclusive hotels in Varadero. Special flights will operate from Varadero today (Sept. 8) to bring those passengers home early.

All southbound flights to these destinations between Sept. 6 and Sept. 10 have been cancelled.

Flights to Varadero and Manzanillo are currently scheduled to operate as normal, however more flexible policies are in effect for customers seeking to rebook or change destination.

Sunwing indicates that its local representatives are available on site or by phone to provide assistance to customers in making changes to their travel arrangements.