Air Canada Stops Cuba Routes as Fuel Crisis Deepens
"Air Canada said that effective today it is suspending its service to Cuba due to an ongoing shortage of aviation fuel on the island. Over the following days, the airline will operate empty flights southbound to pick up approximately 3,000 customers already at destination and return them home," the company said in a statement.
The carrier explained that its move was based on official advisories warning that jet fuel availability at Cuban airports could no longer be relied upon, with commercial supplies expected to run out by February 10.
"Air Canada will continue to monitor the situation to determine an appropriate restart of normal service to Cuba at a future date," the airline added.
The suspension follows an announcement by Cuban authorities that foreign airlines may lose access to refueling services because of worsening fuel shortages. These developments came after US President Donald Trump threatened to introduce tariffs against any nation supplying oil to Cuba.
Since the Trump administration’s military action on January 3 targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro—an ally of Havana—Washington has moved to further tighten its stance toward Cuba.
In a late-January executive order, Trump characterized the Cuban government as posing "an unusual and extraordinary threat," arguing that a national emergency declaration was required.
Cuba reportedly produces only about one-third of the energy it consumes, according to reports. The remaining demand is met through imports, mainly from Mexico and, to a lesser extent, Russia, while Venezuela is expected to provide roughly 30% of total supplies in 2025.
In response to the crisis, the Cuban government has rolled out an emergency austerity program. The measures include shutting down some hotels, reducing operating hours at public institutions and hospitals, and prohibiting diesel sales, all aimed at coping without imported crude oil and related fuels.
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