TORONTO — Sunwing says it expects to be close to normal operations by this weekend, as it continues to make good progress through its flight backlog.

Sunwing’s third-party service provider, Airline Choice, was hit with a data security breach earlier this week, leading to network-wide system issues that have impacted check-ins since April 17.

Sunwing has been checking in passengers manually, and has subcontracted aircraft from WestJet, Transat and Nolinor Aviation to work through the backlog.

Says Sunwing: “Since the start of the system issue on Sunday, we have had 188 flights impacted by delays. As of this afternoon (April 21), 153 of those flights (81%) have been completed or are in progress, and we expect to be close to normal operations by the weekend.”

Sunwing is reminding travellers with flights due to depart over the next few days to keep checking their flight status for up-to-date departure times.

“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our customers for their patience this week as we work to get back to normal. This has been made possible thanks to the assistance of other carriers who we continue to sub-charter aircraft from, the dedication of our airline staff, including on-the-ground teams at airports, flight and cabin crew, along with our partners in destination,” says Sunwing.

The company has also added on dates for its no-fee one-time changes policy for impacted passengers.

Passengers can change their travel dates with no fees for Sunwing bookings with originally scheduled departure dates April 19 – 25, 2022, for travel up to June 23, 2022. “No change to pricing on your original booking, [and] if the package price for new travel dates is higher than the original booking, no additional payment is required,” says Sunwing.

All other booking details including hotel, room category, occupancy, duration and names must be the same as the original booking.

Travellers looking to change their departure date for southbound travel to destination, are asked to call their travel agent or the Sunwing Sales Centre at 1-877-786-9464.