Air Canada announced it is suspending its service to Cuba, citing an aviation fuel shortage on the island and a fresh warning from the Cuban government about fuel availability at local airports. The Canadian carrier said the suspension would start Monday, after it said Cuba’s government had announced that aviation fuel would not be available at Cuban airports as of Tuesday.
Air Canada said it made the decision because of that expected lack of aviation fuel. The airline also pointed to what it described as Cuba’s worsening energy crisis, which it said comes amid a U.S. blockade of oil to the Caribbean nation.
For passengers already booked, Air Canada said it will send empty flights southbound to pick up about 3,000 customers to bring them home. The company said those empty flights would be dispatched “in the coming days” as part of its plan to get travelers back to Canada.
Air Canada’s announcement arrives in the context of Canada’s tourism ties to Cuba, with the company noting that Canadian tourism is vital to Cuba’s economy. The airline also cited Global Affairs Canada, saying the government office has said Canada is Cuba’s second-largest source of direct investment to the island, particularly in the mining and tourism sectors, which it said have never fully recovered from the pandemic slump.
Other Canadian carriers responding to the fuel announcement said they would not change plans. Air Transat and WestJet/Sunwing said they intend to continue flights as scheduled despite Cuba’s announcement about aviation fuel availability.