CALGARY — WestJet is extending its temporary suspension of international sun flights to Mexico and the Caribbean until June 4, 2021.

All four of Canada’s top airlines – Air Canada, WestJet, Transat and Sunwing – previously agreed to cancel winter sun flights until April 30, a directive announced by Prime Minister Trudeau back in January to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Last week, Sunwing announced that it is further suspending sun flights between May 1 and June 23, 2021.

According to Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO, WestJet’s decision to extend the suspension was made with the “clear expectation that as more Canadians are vaccinated, government policy will transition.”

He added: “We continue to advocate for the replacement of mandatory hotel quarantines with a testing regime that is equitable and consistent with global standards at all points of entry into our country. Alongside an accelerated and successful vaccine rollout, this policy transition will support the safe restart of travel and help stimulate the Canadian economy, where one in ten jobs are tourism related.

Guests with affected itineraries will be proactively notified of the cancellations. Since Nov. 1, 2020, WestJet has been providing refunds for all travellers, regardless of fare class booked where WestJet initiated the cancellation.

“We remain focused on a long-term solution that will serve the best interests of Canadians,” continued Sims. “A safe travel-restart framework is the most effective way to support those interests and restore jobs.”