ACTA is seeking to ensure that Sunwing protects commission on cancelled departures from Saskatchewan and elsewhere.

On December 29, 2022, Sunwing issued a mass cancellation notice to travel agencies and independent travel agents, advising of the immediate suspension of all Saskatchewan flights until February 3, 2023. Since then, additional cancellations in other regions have occurred.

In a media statement, ACTA says: “This came at the height of catastrophic winter delays, with many customers already in-destination then in need of repatriation. Travel agents are incurring significant customer service obligations, and we are concerned that despite the tremendous amount of work completed by travel agents, commission might not be protected.”

After receiving “overwhelming feedback from travel agencies and independent travel agents across Canada” who have been impacted by Sunwing’s cancellations, ACTA says it has a firm position that when a decision to cancel a travel program is made, “travel agent commission should be part of the decision-making process, and commission must be protected.”

The travel advisor organization says it is “in continuous contact with Sunwing’s leadership team,” and promises to continue advocacy with all stakeholders “to ensure fairness for travel agencies and independent travel agents.”