Sunwing Vacations and Vacances WestJet Québec are planning to resume vacation operations to Cuba effective June 20, 2026, marking a cautious return to the Caribbean destination amid ongoing challenges.

Limited Restart: Varadero and Cayo Coco Only

The tour operators will offer packages exclusively to Varadero and Cayo Coco, with departures from Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City.

According to WestJet Group, all other Cuba destinations will remain cancelled through October, with operations not resuming until November at the earliest.

Industry-Wide Cautious Approach

Other Canadian carriers are taking similarly measured approaches to Cuba's restart:

Air Transat has confirmed it will resume Cuba flights on June 20, though the carrier is reducing its Cuba capacity for the summer season as a precautionary measure.

Air Canada is taking a more conservative stance, with Cuba flights not scheduled to restart until November 1.

Travel Advisory Remains in Effect

The Canadian government continues to maintain an orange-level travel advisory for Cuba, recommending Canadians "avoid non-essential travel" to the destination.

This week's island-wide blackout represents the latest in a series of infrastructure challenges affecting Cuba, including recurring power outages and persistent fuel and supply shortages.

Geopolitical and Economic Pressures

Cuba faces mounting economic pressures from multiple fronts:

U.S. Sanctions Impact

U.S. sanctions on Venezuela have halted oil exports to Cuba, significantly affecting the island's energy supply. In January, the U.S. administration issued warnings of potential tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba.

Escalating Political Tensions

Recent days have seen intensified rhetoric, with former U.S. President Trump ramping up "takeover" discussions. Cuban President Díaz-Canel responded firmly, stating that any U.S. attempt to take over the island would be met with “impregnable resistance.”

What This Means for Travel Agents

The staggered restart approach reflects the industry's careful assessment of operating conditions in Cuba. Agents booking Cuba packages should:

• Focus on confirmed destinations (Varadero and Cayo Coco) for June-October travel
• Advise clients about the orange travel advisory and current infrastructure challenges
• Monitor carrier updates for potential schedule changes
• Consider travel insurance recommendations given the ongoing uncertainties
• Stay informed about capacity reductions that may affect availability

The June 20 restart date provides a timeline for agents to begin accepting bookings, though the limited destination offerings and reduced capacity suggest continued market caution regarding Cuba operations.

Source: Travelweek