HAVANA, June 11, 2025 — In a high-level meeting held this week in Havana, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel welcomed Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of Canadian airline WestJet, to reaffirm the growing partnership between Canada and Cuba’s tourism sectors.
President Díaz-Canel expressed appreciation for WestJet’s continued commitment to the Cuban market, calling the airline’s role “fundamental” to supporting Canadian travel to the island. “We value the work WestJet is doing in our country and look forward to expanding our collaboration,” the Cuban leader stated.
Von Hoensbroech echoed the sentiment, noting: “It’s an honour to be here. Cuba remains one of the most important destinations for Canadian travellers.” He highlighted WestJet’s current service to six Cuban destinations and confirmed the airline’s recent expansion to include Havana as a new gateway.
Also in attendance were Cuban Tourism Minister Juan Carlos García Granda, Deputy Minister Jorge Alberto García Domínguez, and Erick Rodríguez, Executive Vice President of Canadian tour operator Sunwing.
The visit comes just weeks after WestJet Group finalized its operational integration with Sunwing Airlines, consolidating narrow-body aircraft operations under WestJet’s air operator certificate. The move is expected to streamline service and improve connectivity for Canadian vacationers.
According to Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism, the brief visit by von Hoensbroech and Rodríguez included site inspections across key Canadian-favoured regions such as Varadero and Havana — reinforcing the deep tourism ties between both nations.
