TORONTO — Sunwing Vacations’ new direct flights from Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Cancun will begin operations on Jan. 17.

“The cost of flying out of Buffalo is lower and we’ve passed that on,” Sunwing spokesman Lawrence Elliott told members of the media in Toronto yesterday.  “Prices fluctuate but the savings amount to at least $100 per person, and for a family of four that’s significant.”

He said parking at the airport for the week starts at $45. “It’s so easy to get in and out of Buffalo airport,” he added, while suggesting travellers might want to dine at Anchor Bar, home of the original Buffalo chicken wings, before their flight.

The number of Canadians flying out of Buffalo continues to rise according to Pascal Cohen, Senior Manager Aviation Marketing for Buffalo Niagara International Airport, who maintains there are many benefits including shorter wait times.

The flight departs Buffalo at 6 p.m. and arrives in Cancun at 9 p.m. On the return, the flight departs Cancun the following Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and returns to Buffalo at 3 p.m.

The inaugural flight coincides with new resorts exclusive to Sunwing Vacations. Sample rates for the Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa for a one week all-inclusive trip departing Feb. 7 start at $1,325 per person plus $140 taxes, based on double occupancy in a luxury junior suite oceanview. There’s also the adults-only ‘resort within a resort’, The Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa.

Starting Feb. 14, Sunwing Vacations is also launching a new flight from Buffalo to Punta Cana. It departs Buffalo at 4:25 p.m. and arrives in Punta Cana at 9:35 p.m. On the return, the flight departs Punta Cana at 11:30 a.m. and arrives in Buffalo at 3 p.m.

The Cancun and Punta Cana flights will continue until the first week of May.