Sunwing is cutting half of its remaining winter flights from Saskatoon

The misery continues for Sunwing customers in Saskatchewan as the airline announced Wednesday that it is canceling more flights out of Saskatoon.

The cancellations equate to roughly half of Sunwing flights scheduled to depart Saskatoon this winter, according to a statement from Saskatoon’s John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

The airport said Sunwing informed it of the decision on Wednesday morning, citing “extenuating circumstances”.

“While the airport is disappointed by Sunwing’s decision to cancel some flights from Saskatoon, we recognize the need to provide guests with the experience they expect and deserve,” the airport said.

The airport told CBC News on Tuesday that approximately six to 10 Sunwing flights depart Saskatoon weekly for destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Effective February 5, Sunwing is canceling weekly Sunday flights from Saskatoon to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Effective February 9, Sunwing is canceling weekly Thursday flights from Saskatoon to Los Cabos, Mexico.

Effective February 10, Sunwing is canceling weekly Friday flights from Saskatoon to Mazatlán, Mexico.

The only exception is Family Day weekend to Mazatlan on February 17.

The latest in a series of cancellations

The news comes a day after Sunwing cut its remaining winter flights from Regina, while John G. Diefenbaker International Airport said it had not yet been informed of a decision by the airline to change its plans.

In Tuesday’s cancellations, the airline said it will offer affected customers the option to transfer vacation packages to same-day departures from Saskatoon or other Canadian airports at the originally booked price, subject to availability.

Sunwing previously canceled all Saskatchewan service between December 29, 2022 and February 3.

It was one of the widespread problems during the holiday season for airlines in Canada.

As of last week, Sunwing Airlines had received 7,000 complaints from customers unhappy with its performance.

Sunwing executives told MPs on the House of Commons standing committee on transport, infrastructure and communities that the airline had canceled 67 flights between December 15 and December 31, 2022.

The airline cited staffing shortages as the reason for the cancellation, while Sunwing president Len Corrado said it struggled after Ottawa rejected its request to hire 63 pilots as temporary foreign workers.