Canadian carrier WestJet is continuing its strategic expansion in Caribbean leisure travel with the launch of a new nonstop air route connecting Winnipeg, Manitoba, to the top Dominican tourism hub of Punta Cana, slated for the 2026-27 winter travel season. The new weekly service is scheduled to launch on November 28, 2026, marking the first direct air connection for Manitoba-based travelers to Punta Cana during the peak winter holiday and vacation period, when cold weather drives high demand for warm Caribbean getaways.
Alongside WestJet’s route expansion, sister vacation brand Sunwing Vacations has confirmed the relaunch of its popular vacation packages to the Dominican’s Puerto Plata region, with scheduled flights set to resume on November 4, 2026. Sunwing’s complete 2026-27 winter travel schedule, which operates through April 30, 2027, is already open for customer booking across all channels.
WestJet officials noted that the network expansion in the Dominican Republic directly addresses rapidly rising consumer demand for winter travel to Caribbean and Mexican leisure destinations. The move also aligns with the airline’s long-term strategic growth plan for the high-demand winter travel season, which is one of the busiest periods for leisure carriers serving Canada’s market.
“We’re excited to offer our guests more ways to swap their snow boots for sandals in the destinations that matter most to them,” said John Weatherill, WestJet’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasizing the carrier’s focus on meeting traveler demand for convenient, direct access to top vacation spots.
Industry analysts and tourism stakeholders expect the new Winnipeg-Punta Cana route to deliver mutual benefits for both Canadian travelers and the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector. As the second-largest source of international tourist arrivals to the Dominican Republic, Canada represents a critical market for the country’s tourism-driven economy. The new nonstop connection will open up the country’s most popular beach and resort destination to a whole segment of Canadian travelers who previously relied on connecting flights to reach Punta Cana, boosting overall visitor numbers and supporting local tourism jobs and businesses.