Sunwing cancels operations in Saskatoon, Regina until February

Sunwing Vacations has cancelled all of its operations in Saskatoon and Regina until after Feb. 3, 2023.

According to a statement from Sunwing issued early Thursday afternoon, customers with southbound flights already booked through those cities will automatically receive a full refund.

“No action is required from customers and refunds will be processed within 30 days,” Sunwing said.

Sunwing advised Saskatoon and Regina customers who are currently stuck at their destinations due to cancelled flights to hold on, saying its team is “proactively working to repatriate all customers with cancelled return flights,” and promising that details on rescheduled flights “will be communicated shortly.”

The airline also issued an apology for letting its customers down.

“We know that, despite our best efforts, we have failed to deliver on our customers’ expectations, and we deeply apologize for not meeting the standards of service our Saskatoon and Regina customers rightfully expect,” the airline said.

James Bogusz, president and CEO of the Regina Airport Authority, said many of Sunwing’s flights were running into issues prior to Thursday’s announcement.

“We never like to see flights removed, but right now Sunwing has had a very high cancellation rate, causing a lot of frustrations in YQR in (about) the last nine days,” he said. “So it’s been a very challenging time.”

Bogusz said he was informed by Sunwing that the airline cancelled its service in order to stabilize its network.

“The only flying that they’ve advised us they’ll be doing is if there are people who are still located in one of their ‘sun’ destinations destined to come home back to Saskatchewan,” Bogusz said.

“They’re still going to be flying those people home back as soon as possible.”

Bogusz said he wishes Sunwing and its passengers the best of luck getting all the issues resolved. He also advised travellers to keep monitoring both the airline and airport’s websites for the latest information.

Sunwing did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.