Havana – Flights to Cuba have been widely disrupted as Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat suspended operations to the island nation, leaving thousands of travellers stranded and impacting future travel plans. The cancellations, announced on Monday and Tuesday , stem from a critical shortage of aviation fuel in Cuba, a situation exacerbated by geopolitical pressures and economic challenges.
Air Canada initiated the suspensions, stating that the Cuban government had warned of an impending lack of aviation fuel at airports beginning . The airline is now deploying empty planes to Cuba to repatriate approximately 3,000 travellers currently vacationing on the island. WestJet followed suit, announcing a similar plan to “wind down” its winter operations to Cuba, encompassing both its WestJet and Sunwing brands. Leisure airline Air Transat extended the suspension until .
The crisis in Cuba’s fuel supply is directly linked to disruptions in oil shipments, particularly from Venezuela and Mexico. According to reports, the United States’ increasing pressure on Cuba’s oil sources is a key factor. Cuba previously relied heavily on Venezuela for its oil needs, but that supply was curtailed following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a raid earlier this year. Mexico, Cuba’s second-largest oil provider, subsequently halted sales under pressure from the U.S., which threatened tariffs on any country continuing to supply the Communist nation.
The situation has prompted the Canadian government to update its travel advisory for Cuba, advising travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution.” While airlines maintain there are currently no safety or security concerns for travellers remaining in Cuba, the disruption highlights the vulnerability of the island’s infrastructure and its dependence on external fuel sources.
Prior to the cancellations, Canadian airlines were scheduled to operate 605 flights to Cuban destinations in February, carrying an estimated 116,000 passengers. Air Canada accounted for 61 of those flights, WestJet for 400, and Air Transat for 144. The sudden halt in service represents a significant blow to Cuba’s tourism sector, a vital component of its economy.
Airlines are attempting to mitigate the impact on stranded travellers. Air Canada stated it would tanker in extra fuel and make technical stops as necessary to refuel on return journeys, where possible. Both WestJet and Air Transat are prioritizing the repatriation of passengers currently in Cuba. WestJet Group has suspended bookings to Cuba while focusing on bringing vacationers home, leveraging aircraft already en route to the island for this purpose.
The fuel shortage extends beyond passenger flights. Cuba’s largest airport, José Martí International Airport in Havana, issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) indicating that nine major airports on the island would be unable to refuel international aircraft from to . This impacts not only Canadian airlines but also carriers from other nations.
The unfolding crisis raises broader questions about the sustainability of Cuba’s economic model and its resilience in the face of sustained external pressure. The U.S. Has maintained a decades-long embargo against Cuba, and the recent tightening of oil supplies represents a further escalation of economic constraints. The situation is also impacting essential services within Cuba, with reports indicating rationing of health services due to fuel limitations.
Travel advisors are working to assist clients affected by the flight cancellations and to facilitate refunds or rebookings. Air Canada has implemented a flexible rebooking policy, and its vacation package division, ACV, is offering refunds. The disruption underscores the potential risks associated with travel to destinations facing political and economic instability.
The long-term implications of the fuel shortage remain uncertain. While the immediate focus is on repatriating stranded travellers, the crisis highlights the urgent need for Cuba to diversify its energy sources and address its economic vulnerabilities. The situation also serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of global energy markets and the potential for geopolitical factors to disrupt travel and trade.
