Air Canada is suspending its service to Cuba as a consequence of an ongoing shortage of aviation fuel on the island. This suspension follows threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba.
In a news release shared with Global News, Air Canada said that over the next days, the airline will operate empty flights southbound to choose up “roughly 3,000 customers already at destination and return them home.”
“Air Canada took the choice following advisories issued by governments (NOTAMs) regarding the unreliability of the aviation fuel supply at Cuban airports. It’s projected that as of February 10 aviation fuel won’t be commercially available on the island’s airports. For remaining flights, Air Canada will tanker in extra fuel and make a technical stops as obligatory to refuel on the return journey if obligatory,” the news release added.
Air Canada will proceed to watch the situation to find out an appropriate restart of normal service to Cuba at a future date, in response to the corporate.
Air Canada says its immediate priority “is to return customers already in Cuba to Canada.”
“It would operate empty ferry flights to the island over the approaching days to take care of its regular schedule from Cuba to Canada over the near-term to choose up these customers,” Air Canada added.
Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations are also introducing a versatile rebooking policy for purchasers travelling to Cuba, while introducing a refund policy that permits customers who had scheduled departures to Cuba and experienced flight cancellations to routinely receive a full refund of their original type of payment. Air Canada says these customers don’t must contact Air Canada Vacation’s Contact Centre.
Those people currently in Cuba who booked an Air Canada Vacations package will receive direct support from Air Canada Vacations’ local representatives.
WestJet and Air Transat confirm flights still running
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WestJet and Air Transat haven’t yet suspended flights.
Air Transat confirmed in an announcement to Global News that it’ll proceed to “operate flights as scheduled by implementing contingency measures.”
“We’ve been informed by Cuban authorities of a short lived suspension of kerosene supply at airports across the country. Despite this example, which is beyond our control, we expect to operate our flights as scheduled by implementing contingency measures, similar to a technical stop when obligatory,” a spokesperson for Air Transat said.
“Within the meantime, we remain in close communication with local authorities and are closely monitoring the situation,” the airline added.
Air Transat has implemented a “special flexibility policy for purchasers with upcoming travel to Cuba.”
For those departing as much as Feb. 28, date or destination changes are permitted without penalty, or a full refund will likely be issued. For departures between March 1 and April 30, date or destination changes are permitted without penalty, with a travel credit issued for the worth of the unique booking.
WestJet, in an announcement to Global News, confirmed it remains to be maintaining flights to the island nation, and guaranteed passengers that “flights arrive in Cuba with sufficient fuel to securely depart Cuba.”
“WestJet has activated its Flex Change/Cancel policy on westjet.com, enabling guests with upcoming travel to Cuba to regulate their plans without penalty. Sunwing.ca has also been updated with flexible travel options for Sunwing Vacations guests,” a spokesperson for WestJet Media & Sunwing Media said.
“Our focus continues to stay on the protection of our guests and our WestJetters. Additionally it is necessary to notice, that every one WestJet flights arrive in Cuba with sufficient fuel to securely depart Cuba,” the airline added.
Cuba travel advisory
The Government of Canada recently updated its travel warnings for a lot of popular vacation destinations, including Cuba.
“Exercise a high degree of caution in Cuba as a consequence of worsening shortages of electricity, fuel and basic necessities including food, water, and medicine, which may also affect resorts. The situation is unpredictable and will deteriorate, disrupting flight availability on short notice,” the warning said.
Canada’s travel advisory warns travellers that Cuba schedules “long every day power cuts” to cut back pressure on the electrical network.
“Sometimes, unexpected nationwide power outages occur and might last greater than 24 hours,” the warning said.
Most large hotels and resorts use generators during power outages but fuel shortages may impact generator use and the provision or various services and utilities similar to food service, light, running water and hot water, in response to the warning.
It’s advised that Canadians travelling to Cuba monitor local media for the most recent information, try to maintain your phone charged and plan accordingly.
The advisories also notes that Cuba faces “chronic and severe shortages of basic necessities” including things like food, bottled water, public water supply, medication, fuel and hard currency.
“Fuel shortages affect a big selection of services. Travelling across the island is incredibly difficult. Public transportation services, including taxis, are sometimes disrupted, leaving tourists with few options to travel. Some travellers have been temporarily stranded with a rental automotive. There are sometimes long line-ups at gas stations which have led to altercations,” the warning said.
Read the full Cuba travel advisory from the Canadian government.
Trump threatens tariffs on any country selling oil to Cuba
The Cuban fuel shortage began after Trump signed an executive order threatening to impose tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba last week.
The order would primarily put pressure on Mexico, a government that has acted as an oil lifeline for Cuba, and has consistently voiced solidarity for the U.S. adversary, at the same time as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to construct a robust relationship with Trump.
Trump was asked by a reporter Thursday whether he was attempting to “choke off” Cuba, which he called a “failing nation.”
“The word ‘choke off’ is very tough,” Trump said. “I’m not attempting to, but it surely looks prefer it’s something that’s just not going to have the option to survive.”
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez and various other Cuban officials condemned Trump’s executive order. Rodríguez called it a “brutal act of aggression against Cuba and its people … who are actually threatened with being subjected to extreme living conditions.”
Global News has reached out to Transport Canada but didn’t receive a reply by publication time.
— With files from The Associated Press
Are you a Canadian in Cuba or who has been impacted by a cancelled flight to Cuba? Send us a message using the contact form below or by emailing shareyourstory@globalnews.ca and we could also be in contact for future reporting.