Farewell, Sunwing Airlines: A Legacy That Reaches Farther Than the Runway

There are aviation stories, and then there are stories like Sunwing’s — made of sun, strategy, grit, and deep human connection.

Founded in 2005, Sunwing Airlines took off with a clear purpose: connect Canadians to sunshine. But for many of us in Latin America’s airport and tourism community, Sunwing became much more than a leisure carrier. It was a visionary partner, an early believer, and often, the first to say “yes” when others hesitated.

When Sunwing began service to Liberia (LIR)back in 2006 , things weren’t easy. The airport was smaller, operations were limited, and the Guanacaste region was just beginning to rise as a global destination.

But Sunwing believed in Costa Rica — in its people, in its beauty, and in its long-term potential. Their early seasonal flights brought thousands of Canadian travelers and helped solidify the region as a reliable, warm-weather escape. For that, we’ll always be grateful.

Like any new international route, there were challenges: weather delays, last-minute irregular operations, and the growing pains of regional infrastructure.

What stood out? Sunwing’s willingness to collaborate. Operations weren’t perfect, but their teams showed up — in planning rooms, on airport ramps, and in coordination calls — ready to work with us, not around us.

That level of partnership made all the difference.

Sunwing’s impact didn’t stop at LIR.

They were instrumental in launching flights to Río Hato, Panama, even before the beach towns had full tourism infrastructure, the  inauguration flight into Scarlett Martinez airport first ever operation form Canada with the President  , the press , the trees (only the ones that were there will remember this) , then pushed into Guatemala for the farmers program, opening a new kind of operation in Central America.

Sunwing didn’t just sell seats. They opened markets.

The End of an Era: Merging with WestJet

In 2023, Sunwing was officially acquired by WestJet, and by 2024, the operational merger had begun. While the brand still exists in limited form, Sunwing Airlines as an independent operator has completed its final takeoff.

For those of us who worked with them — in airports, at tourism boards, representation or across ground services — this feels deeply personal.

It’s not just a business transaction.

It’s the closing of a chapter.

To the People of Sunwing

To the station managers, Directors , flight ops teams, commercial planners, thank you for believing in places like Liberia, Río Hato, and Guatemala when they were still “developing markets.”

Thank you for pushing through operational challenges with grace, patience, and determination.

Thank you for every inaugural flight, every early morning turnaround, every time you said “Let’s make it work.”

You helped build something lasting.

As WestJet carries forward Sunwing’s legacy, we remain grateful for the past and hopeful for the future.

Routes will evolve. Fleets will change. But the partnership spirit that Sunwing brought into Latin America — that’s something we’ll always carry with us.

Sunwing wasn’t just an airline. It was a bridge.

Between winter and sun, between strategy and courage, between nations and people.

And to everyone I had the pleasure of working with over the years — this is a heartfelt thank you.

We’ll see you in the air, just under different colors.

Juan Portela