The Canadian government has issued an updated travel advisory for Cuba, urging Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to the country due to fuel shortages and flight cancellations by Canadian airlines. The advisory, updated on Wednesday, advises travelers to check their flights and avoid prolonging their stay.
Major Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat, have suspended services to Cuba. Air Transat, joining Air Canada and WestJet in canceling all flights, announced plans to bring back approximately 3,000 customers currently in Cuba. Air Canada, in a statement on Monday, mentioned flying empty planes to repatriate stranded travelers and ensuring extra fuel for return journeys.
The fuel shortage issue at Cuban airports, as highlighted in government advisories (NOTAMs), led to these flight cancellations. Air Canada specified plans to bring back customers from Cuba and cancel seasonal flights to Holguín and Santa Clara, while flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco are suspended with a tentative restart on May 1.
WestJet also announced the suspension of winter operations to Cuba until April 26, with further cooperation from Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations. The airlines assured that all flights to Cuba will have enough fuel for safe departures without relying on local fuel availability.
Havana’s José Martí International Airport issued a NOTAM warning of Jet A1 fuel unavailability until March 11. This fuel scarcity, influenced by the lack of oil supplies from Venezuela, has impacted Cuba’s aviation operations. The U.S.’s actions in blocking oil exports to Venezuela have exacerbated the situation, affecting Cuba’s energy sources.
Both Air Canada and WestJet have offered flexible rebooking and cancellation options for affected travelers. Air Transat also suspended service to Cuba until April 30 and organized repatriation flights for affected customers. Several Cuban resorts have temporarily closed due to low occupancy rates, allowing customers to change their travel plans without penalties.
The Cuban Aviation Corporation, despite acknowledging the fuel shortage and flight disruptions, emphasized its commitment to maintaining aviation reliability in Cuba. The government’s efficient resource management ensures essential services continue, with a focus on sustaining tourist facilities.
Travelers like Kim Darby, whose Cuba trip got canceled, have redirected their vacations to new destinations without penalties. Despite the challenges, experts believe that Cuba’s strategic resource allocation and alternative refueling options in the Caribbean can mitigate travel disruptions for tourists.