Air travel between Canada and Cuba is facing a new disruption. A Canadian airline has suspended flights to the island nation. The decision follows a warning from Cuban authorities that they cannot guarantee jet fuel supplies at Cuban airports.
Cuban officials have notified airlines that refueling on the island may not be possible. The warning applies to multiple international carriers that operate routes to Cuba. Airlines received notices that fuel reserves are under strain and that services could be affected with little or no advance notice.
The fuel shortage is linked to tighter United States sanctions on Cuba. The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a series of measures designed to limit energy supplies to the island. The measures targeted shipping companies and vessels that deliver oil to Cuba. They also expanded restrictions on transactions and applied pressure on countries and companies that conduct business with the Cuban government.
Cuban authorities have described the fuel situation as critical. Government statements have cited difficulties in securing regular oil deliveries. Officials have pointed to sanctions as a primary factor in reduced access to refined products, including aviation fuel.
The Canadian airline that suspended flights has not been officially named in the early reports. The decision affects passengers who planned to travel to popular Cuban destinations. These destinations include resort areas and larger cities that depend on Canadian tourism. Canada has long been one of Cuba’s largest sources of foreign visitors.
Passengers with existing bookings are being contacted by the airline. They are being offered rebooking options, alternative destinations or refunds. The airline is also reviewing its operational plans for future travel seasons. Company representatives are monitoring developments in Cuba’s fuel supply and in U.S. policy.
Other international airlines are assessing their own operations. Some carriers are examining whether they can operate flights without refueling in Cuba. Airlines are also considering technical stops in third countries to refuel before or after serving Cuban airports.
Airport authorities in Cuba are maintaining contact with airlines and foreign civil aviation regulators. They are providing updates on available fuel stocks at major airports. They are also relaying guidance on scheduling, ground handling and potential service disruptions.
U.S. sanctions under the Trump administration formed part of a broader reversal of earlier efforts to ease tensions with Cuba. Measures included tighter limits on U.S. travel categories, more restrictions on financial transactions and expanded use of the Helms-Burton Act.
Cuban leaders have appealed to international partners for support in securing energy supplies. They have also turned to alternative suppliers to replace lost shipments.
Officials in Cuba and airline representatives have not offered a timeline for a resolution of the refueling problem. The situation remains tied to wider geopolitical and economic issues involving U.S. sanctions, energy trade and international relations with Havana.