Cuba oil crisis: Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat suspend flights as US sanctions deepen fuel shortage

Major Canadian airlines have suspended flights to Cuba after the island nation warned that aviation fuel would soon be unavailable at several airports, deepening travel disruption amid an escalating energy crisis linked to tighter US sanctions.

Cuban aviation authorities notified airlines that jet fuel supplies would be unavailable at nine airports, including Havana’s José Martí International Airport, beginning Tuesday, February 10, and lasting until at least March 11, as per news agency The Associated Press (AP).

The move is part of emergency rationing measures as Cuba struggles with dwindling fuel reserves.

Airlines suspend flight operations to Cuba

Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat confirmed on Monday, February 9, that they were cancelling services to the Caribbean destination, citing uncertainty over fuel availability, as per a report by The Canadian Press.

Air Canada said it acted "following advisories issued by governments regarding the unreliability of the aviation fuel supply at Cuban airports."

"It is projected that as of Feb 10 aviation fuel will not be commercially available at the island’s airports," it added.

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The shortages are expected to have a greater impact on long-haul routes from countries such as Canada and Russia, a significant concern for Cuba’s tourism-dependent economy.

While short regional flights may continue with adjusted fuel strategies, some airlines have announced delays or technical stops in neighbouring countries for refuelling.

Airlines organise repatriation efforts

All three Canadian carriers said they were arranging plans to return travellers home.

Air Canada stated it would send empty southbound flights to collect roughly 3,000 passengers and may make technical stops to refuel on return journeys, as per The Canadian Press.

Air Transat said it was suspending flights to Cuba until April 30 and organising additional repatriation services, while WestJet activated flexible booking policies.

WestJet said, "All flights will carry sufficient fuel to ensure a safe departure without relying on local fuel availability," and added that "At this time, there are no safety or security concerns for our guests who remain in Cuba."

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The Canadian government recently upgraded its travel advisory, urging citizens to exercise caution due to shortages of electricity, fuel and basic necessities, as per The Canadian Press report.

Energy crisis deepens under US pressure

The fuel crunch follows intensified political and economic pressure from US President Donald Trump, whose administration has moved to restrict Cuba’s access to oil supplies from Venezuela and Mexico.

A recent executive order allows tariffs on goods from countries supplying oil to Cuba, potentially worsening the island’s shortages.

Cuban authorities have also reduced bank operating hours, suspended cultural events and curtailed public transport as power outages and fuel lines lengthen.