Experts say the sun may set on Sunwing as the airline struggles to keep its operations afloat
CBC
Lindsay May always wanted a destination wedding.
She and her fiancé originally had it planned for February 2022, but postponed to January of this year due to the pandemic.
"I got my pedicure and had my hair and dress ready to go, but four days before we were supposed to depart on Jan. 2 of 2023, I found out through social media that Sunwing cancelled absolutely everything from Regina," she said.
"I went through the seven stages of grief in one day and had a couple of panic attacks, but we rebooked our flight for March 13."
On Tuesday, the Regina couple learned Sunwing had once again canceled their flight out of Regina.
"Why did you even allow us to rebook and give us hope?" she asked.
Now, she and her guests are trying to rebook for a fourth time, this time through WestJet, as the $16,000 she paid for a wedding at a resort in Mexico is non-refundable.
"What I really want from Sunwing is for them to compensate for the time and effort of everyone having to go through this," she said.
"Sunwing has completely lost my faith in them. I never had a problem with them before but I will never fly with them again. Certainly I don't see anyone in Saskatchewan having faith and trust in them anymore."
May was offered an alternative of flying out of Saskatoon when her March 13 flight was cancelled, but she opted against it. That was a wise decision, as on Wednesday Saskatoon's airport confirmed that Sunwing would be cancelling half of its flights out of Saskatoon for the rest of the winter season.
Lisa Adams-Krahenbil was ready to go to Cuba with her kids after the pandemic delayed earlier plans, but a day before their departure the Sunwing flight out of Regina was cancelled.
"I don't understand why they have to cancel now. Sunwing is the only flight [from Regina] that flies directly to Cuba," she said, noting they are now flying out of Winnipeg.
"It was upsetting and frustrating. It's unfair that Saskatchewan gets cancelled. It was supposed to be the first plane ride and hot weather vacation for our kids."
The family had saved up for the trip, but now a lot of the money will go to travelling to Winnipeg and accommodations there before and after the trip, she said.