March 16, 2022 – We commend the Government of Canada’s decision to remove the pre-departure testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers effective April 1, 2022. Today’s announcement comes as welcome news for the travel industry, which has weathered a difficult two years due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With soaring vaccination rates across the country, the announcement is a natural step forward and will undoubtedly support our industry’s rebound. Sunwing is appreciative of the ongoing collaboration from the Government of Canada and senior officials throughout the pandemic and would like to thank the government for recognizing that testing requirements can be removed for those who are fully vaccinated while continuing to protect the health and safety of all Canadians.
We look forward to brighter days ahead and helping to make even more customers’ vacation dreams come true under our wing.
Swissport Canada and Sunwing Airlines have expanded their partnership to Toronto Pearson International Airport. The new three-year agreement covers full airport ground services for Sunwing passengers at Toronto Pearson.
Swissport and Sunwing Airlines have expanded their partnership to Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s busiest airport. The new three-year agreement began 3 November 2021 and includes full airport ground services for Sunwing passengers at Toronto Pearson, including baggage handling, check-in assistance and gate services. Swissport will also be responsible for aircraft handling on the apron such as baggage loading.
Sunwing Airlines is an award-winning leisure carrier and offers Canadian travellers flights to the most popular vacation destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Florida. As part of the agreement, Swissport Canada will handle approximately 4,300 flights on Sunwing’s Boeing 737 aircraft per year.
Charles Roberge, CEO of Swissport Canada, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for our teams in Toronto. By adding Toronto (YYZ) to our partnerships in Vancouver (YVR), Edmonton (YEG) and Calgary (YYC), we will be Sunwing’s ground service partner at four major airports across the country. We are honored that Sunwing has entrusted us with helping to deliver excellent customer experiences from their busiest gateway.”
“We’re pleased to be expanding our agreement with Swissport Canada to include Toronto Pearson International Airport,” added Mark Williams, President at Sunwing Airlines. “Swissport Canada has consistently provided reliable service from three of our major gateways and we look forward to working with them at our busiest airport as we welcome more passengers back to the skies.”
In 2020, Swissport International AG provided best-in-class airport ground services for some 82 million airline passengers (preCovid 2019: 265 million) and handled roughly 4.1 million tons of air freight (2019: 4.6 million) at over 100 cargo warehouses worldwide. Several of its warehouses have been certified for pharmaceutical logistics by IATA’s CEIV Pharma and by the British MHRA. The world’s leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, with currently around 45,000 employees, was active at 269 airports in 47 countries on six continents at the end of 2020.
TORONTO — Sunwing is making it easier for both customers and travel agents to navigate the new federal vaccination requirements for Canadian air travel, which come into effect on Oct. 30.
The company has sent out numerous email reminders to both customers and agents explaining the new requirements, in addition to updating its Travel Requirements page on Sunwing.ca with a helpful pre-departure checklist, as well as updating the Sunwing Agent portal. Requirements about vaccination requirements can also be found within the booking path, the Travel Advisories page, eDocs, confirmation emails and within the new Sunwing app.
“As demonstrated by the government lifting the advisory against non-essential travel for fully vaccinated Canadians, vaccinations are a critical tool in helping our industry rebound and return stronger than ever before,” commented Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations at Sunwing. “We’re dedicated to making the travel process frictionless and stress-free every step of the way and are in constant communication with our customers and agency partners. With simplified information on travel requirements, we’re hoping to show Canadians that returning to paradise is easy under our wing.”
Look closely and you might just make out the 737 MAX 8 painted out on the rear fuselage Photo ALC
Air Lease Corporation has delivered of two new Boeing 737-MAX aircraft on long-term lease to Sunwing Airlines. However, the global leasing firm and Sunwing are trying to hush up the fact that there are the 737 MAX models, by using the now commonplace 737-8 designator. These aircraft, featuring CFM International LEAP-1B27 engines, are the third and fourth new Boeing 737-MAX aircraft to deliver to Sunwing from ALC’s order book with Boeing. “ALC is pleased to announce these two new Boeing 737-8 deliveries to Sunwing Airlines today,” said John L. Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President of Air Lease Corporation. “These aircraft mark ALC’s first 737-8 deliveries since the grounding and will provide state-of-the-art efficiency, cabin comfort, and advancement of Sunwing’s environmental sustainability initiatives.” “We thank ALC for the delivery of two new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, and look forward to integrating them into our existing fleet,” said Mark Williams, President, Sunwing Airlines. “The new planes provide advanced technology, comfort and fuel efficiency, and will undoubtedly offer Sunwing Airlines customers an enhanced travel experience when they are placed into commercial service.” Sunwing Airlines currently has two 737-800s and two other 737-8s on lease from ALC.
Saint John Airport officials are worried passengers from outside New Brunswick will be turned away by border patrols as Air Canada resumes flights from Montreal to the Port City.
One daily flight arrived at the Saint John Airport shortly before 3:30 p.m. and was to depart at 4:30 p.m. Border patrol officers with the province are questioning travellers arriving at the airport.
“Obviously, you have to have a legitimate reason … on why you’re coming into New Brunswick, and if those are met, than you should be OK to come in,” said Jacques Fournier, director of commercial development at the Saint John Airport.
“If they’re not, there’s always a chance they could get turned away.”
He said the plane is a 78-seat aircraft, which has been upgraded from the 50-seat commercial aircraft originally planned.
An Air Canada flight from Montreal has arrived at the Saint John Airport on Monday afternoon. (Roger Cosman/CBC)
“Obviously, the demand is a little more than we thought.”
But Fournier said some seats won’t be used, so passengers can keep their distance from each other on the plane.
“I would have to say the aircraft will be pretty busy today.”
Flights at all three of New Brunswick’s largest airports have been reduced since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, and service in Saint John was suspended altogether.
Saint John Airport staff have also taken steps to make sure passengers can physically distance themselves from one another, including when they’re lining up to get on a plane.
People permitted to come into the province are still required to self-isolate for two weeks, with the exception of New Brunswick residents working who have been working outside the province.
Geoffrey Downey, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety, said there are two peace officers and two screeners at each airport during hours of operation.
“Some people still need to travel and want to travel,” said Fournier. “I believe we will still see people with cottages here in New Brunswick coming in.”
Additional flights to Toronto and Montreal from Saint John will start on July 1.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen commercial traffic coming back into the Saint John Airport,” Fournier said. “So it is very exciting.”
More flights added to Moncton offerings
Toronto and Montreal flights that were previously suspended to and from the Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport, also resumed Monday. They include one daily flight to Toronto and Montreal until June 30.
In July, flights to each city will operate twice a day, but exceptions could apply, said Julie Pondant, a spokesperson for the airport.
Halifax and Ottawa flights are suspended until Sept. 7.
WestJet currently operates three days a week to Toronto from the Moncton airport.
Swoop Airlines has postponed service to the Moncton airport.
The Fredericton International Airport has two daily Air Canada flights to Montreal and three WestJet flights per week to Toronto.
“The airport has been open continuously, with both Air Canada and WestJet continuing to serve YFC, although on a reduced schedule,” said Kate O’Rourke, a spokesperson for the Fredericton International Airport.
Porter and Sunwing have both suspended operations until the end of July at New Brunswick airports.
TORONTO, March 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As part of its efforts to repatriate Canadians, Sunwing is bringing home an additional 11,000 Canadians today, which will bring the total number of repatriated Sunwing customers to 44,000 to date.
Sunwing is operating approximately 60 flights to various holiday destinations, leaving today, in order to bring these Canadians home safely. The schedule may change as the situation on the ground in various destinations continues to evolve.
Sunwing also continues to offer available seats on its repatriation flights from southern destinations to stranded Canadians, free of charge – including for non-Sunwing customers. “We understand a lot of Canadians are still stranded outside the country and struggling to get home,” said Stephen Hunter, CEO of Sunwing Travel Group. “That’s why we want to open up any extra capacity we have. It’s the Canadian thing to do.” We expect to have all Sunwing customers home by Monday March 23, at which time all Sunwing flights will be temporarily suspended. At our current estimate, Sunwing will be operating almost 400 flights and spending more than $26 million to bring these Canadians home safely, at no extra cost to the customer.
Canadians looking to return home on a Sunwing flight should check the most up to date flight times at https://www.sunwing.ca/pages/en/flight-status-alerts. If a northbound flight is operating from their destination, they should make their way to the departure airport and present themselves to the Sunwing Airlines check in counter. If space remains prior to departure at the closure of check in, any available seats will be offered to Canadians or Canadian permanent residents free of charge. Given the unprecedented situation the focus of our company and destination team remains on the repatriation of our customers. We therefore ask to please refrain from calling us since availability can only be confirmed at the airport ahead of the closure of check in for each flight service.
Sunwing is returning to Thunder Bay for a ninth season this coming winter and adding a new direct flight service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the first time. With the introduction of this new service, vacationers departing from Thunder Bay will enjoy convenient and direct access to three of the travel company’s most popular vacation destinations. Along with adding new weekly flights to Punta Cana operating between December 19, 2018 and March 27, 2019, the travel company is bringing back its popular winter flight services to Varadero, Cuba and Cancun, Mexico that will be available between November 6, 2018 and March 26, 2019 and December 24, 2018 and April 1, 2019 respectively.
Sunwing has received the Consumer Choice Award in the Greater Toronto Area in the category of Best Charter Airline and Vacation Provider for the fifth consecutive year. This latest accolade comes after receiving the award for the first time this past year in Halifax, St. John’s, Regina and Saskatoon. The tour operator has also earned the award for the past three consecutive years in Vancouver.
Established in 1987, the Consumer Choice Award is the only organization in Canada to conduct independent market research surveys to determine brand reputation and customer satisfaction. This award is only bestowed upon a very select group of business owners and entrepreneurs recognized by customers for their business excellence. Companies are ranked based on over 1,250 customer surveys carried out by some of the largest, independent Canadian-owned research companies.
“For the fifth year in a row, Sunwing been voted in the GTA as the top Vacation Service Provider. It is a testament to not only the quality of Sunwing’s vacation offerings and service levels, but also to their consistency, that enabled them to win this prestigious award for a fifth consecutive year. Consumer Choice Award is proud to have its brand associated with a company that year over year demonstrates Business Excellence, and offers its heartfelt congratulations to the team at Sunwing.” says Jack McFadden, President of Consumer Choice Award.
The news was also welcomed by Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing who commented, “Our entire team is honoured to have been recognized for our long-standing history in providing GTA residents with value-added vacation packages to top-rated resorts across the sunny south. We believe that our passion in delivering an excellent customer experience – from convenient direct flights and award-winning inflight service to exclusive perks and privileges such as Kids Stay, Play and Eat FREE deals all year round is what sets us apart and makes us truly the #1 the sun.”
TORONTO — Sunwing passengers flying out of Victoria, B.C. will have more options to the sun this winter with new flights to Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Huatulco.
Weekly Saturday departures begin Dec. 22, 2018 and run until March 30, 2019 to Puerto Vallarta. Monday flights to Los Cabos start Nov. 5, 2018 and continue through April 22, 2019. And weekly service on Tuesdays to Huatulco runs Nov. 6, 2018 through April 16, 2019.
“Enabling our customers to save time and money by departing from their local airport is very important to us and we are delighted to be returning to Victoria again this winter and to be able to increase our vacation options to include three of our most popular destinations for the first time,” said Sunwing’s President of Tour Operations, Andrew Dawson.
MONTREAL, July 14, 2018 /CNW/ – On April 16, 2018, the Superior Court of Québec authorized a class action brought by the Plaintiff against Sunwing Vacations Inc. and Sunwing Airlines Inc. on behalf of all Quebec consumers alleging the use of the word “champagne” in various ways without serving Champagne, engaging in an alleged deceptive commercial practice in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act. These allegations have not been proven in Court.
The class action includes all consumers in Québec who purchased (or obtained) tickets or travelled with Sunwing Vacations Inc., also doing business as Signature Vacations, or Sunwing Airlines Inc. for a flight or vacation package presented, publicized or described using the word “champagne” between February 10, 2014 and April 16, 2018.
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Sunwing is returning to Thunder Bay for a ninth season this coming winter and adding a new direct flight service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the first time. With the introduction of this new service, vacationers departing from Thunder Bay will enjoy convenient and direct access to three of the travel company’s most popular vacation destinations. Along with adding new weekly flights to Punta Cana operating between December 19, 2018 and March 27, 2019, the travel company is bringing back its popular winter flight services to Varadero, Cuba and Cancun, Mexico that will be available between November 6, 2018 and March 26, 2019 and December 24, 2018 and April 1, 2019 respectively.