TORONTO — For the first time ever, Sunwing will be offering direct flights from Thunder Bay to Punta Cana starting this winter.

The airline is returning to the Canadian gateway for a ninth season this coming winter with the addition of new weekly, nonstop service to Punta Cana, which will operate between Dec. 19, 2018 and March 27, 2019.

In addition, Sunwing is bringing back its popular winter flight services to Varadero, Cuba from Nov. 6, 2018 to March 26, 2019, and Cancun, Mexico from Dec. 24, 2018 to April 1, 2019.

With these latest flights, vacationers departing from Thunder Bay will enjoy convenient and direct access to what the company says are its three most popular vacation destinations.

“We are delighted to be returning to Thunder Bay this coming season and to be offering our customers even more choice from their doorstep, without the need to make the long winter drive to Toronto or change planes to reach the sunny south,” said Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations. “Our seasonal flight services from Thunder Bay have always been well received and we are very pleased to be able to expand our operations even further this year.”

Ed Schmidtke, President and CEO of Thunder Bay International Airports Authority Inc., added: “Sunwing has a long positive history in Thunder Bay. With three destinations and a schedule that spans four months, Sunwing offers Thunder Bay tremendous winter getaway options.”

The travel company offers a number of family and adult options in Punta Cana, including the new Grand Memories Punta Cana, a modern all-inclusive resort featuring unlimited free access to one of the largest on-site water parks in the Caribbean, a complimentary kids club, two adult-only pools and varied specialty restaurants. Guests will also enjoy discounted green fees at nearby Punta Blanca Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course designed by Nick Price.

Also available is the recently renovated Riu Palace Punta Cana, home to an extensive pool complex, RiuLand Kids Club, a spa, gym and exclusive RIU-topia inclusions like unlimited a la carte dining, spa discounts and more.

Riu Palace Punta Cana

All vacations packages include return flights on Sunwing Airlines.