Sunwing cuts half of remaining winter flights from Saskatoon

The misery continues for Sunwing customers in Saskatchewan, as the airline announced Wednesday it was cancelling more flights out of Saskatoon.

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

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

"Although the airport is disappointed in Sunwing's decision to cancel some flights out of Saskatoon, we recognize it is necessary 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 per week from Saskatoon for destinations across Mexico and the Caribbean.

Effective Feb. 5, Sunwing is cancelling weekly flights on Sunday from Saskatoon to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Effective Feb. 9, Sunwing is cancelling weekly flights on Thursday from Saskatoon to Los Cabos, Mexico.

Effective Feb. 10, Sunwing is cancelling weekly flights on Fridays from Saskatoon to Mazatlán, Mexico.

The only exception is for the Family Day weekend departure to Mazatlán on Feb. 17. 

Latest in string of cancellations

The news comes a day after Sunwing slashed its remaining winter flights out of Regina.

In Tuesday's cancellations, the airline said it would be offering affected customers the ability to transfer vacation packages to same-day departures from Saskatoon or other Canadian airports at originally booked pricing, pending availability.

Sunwing previously cancelled all service in Saskatchewan between Dec. 29, 2022, through to Feb. 3. 

That was one part of widespread issues 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 in the House of Commons standing committee on transport, infrastructure and communities that the airline had cancelled 67 flights between Dec. 15 and Dec. 31, 2022. 

The airline cited staff shortages as a reason for the cancellations, while Sunwing president Len Corrado said it had struggled after Ottawa declined its request to hire 63 pilots as temporary foreign workers.