Travellers flying to a sunny destination from Regina through Sunwing may have to rethink their plans after the airline cancelled most flights out of the Queen City for the rest of the winter season on Tuesday. 

Now, travellers that have been affected by this either have to travel to Saskatoon or Winnipeg to catch their flight to a certain destination or receive a full refund.  

This has left some frustrated, especially for those that had to rebook their trip for a second time, this time in February or March after Sunwing’s first round of cancellations in late December.  

For Moose Jaw resident Johnny Beam it was actually a blessing in disguise.  

A couple of weeks ago he and his wife planned a much-needed holiday through Sunwing to Cuba leaving Regina on Feb. 28th, which was after the Feb. 3 date when Sunwing was going to resume travel in Saskatchewan.  

They then found out that a group of their friends were heading to the same resort in Varadero, Cuba. They proceeded to book with their friends and go down as a group.  

Then on Tuesday morning, they got the text many travellers received saying that Sunwing has cancelled most flights out of Regina, including Beams to Cuba.  

“Literally I went down to CAA, and 10 minutes later my trip was switched, they honoured the price, and now I’m flying out of Saskatoon, which is okay because we have family there.” 

Beam says that he is understanding of the frustrations that many travellers are facing.  

“So many people flew out at so many times and this is the holiday season, it’s winter and we do live in Saskatchewan, there are going to be things that happen like that. You take it with a grain of salt, we were going on a holiday and if it cancels one more time then it wasn’t meant to be. You just have to look at the positive side of everything. I don’t think it’s an issue,” adds Beam.  

At the end of the day, Beam says though he has to now drive two hours to Saskatoon instead of 40 minutes to Regina, he’s still thankful he’s able to get away.  

“I’m happy, I’m going on a trip and got my itinerary and going somewhere. My reality is that we’re going with a whole bunch of our closest friends instead of by ourselves.” 

His advice to those dealing with travel woes is to speak with a travel agent and get themselves some travel insurance. 

“It was the best thing I ever did.” 

Sunwing’s cancellations impacts weekly flights from Regina to Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, with the exception of Sunday departures to Puerto Vallarta starting on Feb. 5.  

Flights scheduled for Family Day weekend departures to Puerto Vallarta on Feb. 17, Mazatlan on Feb.17, and Cancun on Feb. 18 and Feb. 20, will operate as planned. 

The airline says they plan to re-establish its full program from Regina for the 2023-24 winter season.