"Air Canada Grounds Operations Due to Fuel Shortage in Cuba"
Air Canada announced Monday that it will suspend its services to Cuba due to a growing aviation fuel shortage on the island, amid heightened tensions between the US and Venezuela. The decision comes as fuel supplies at major airports in Havana and other destinations are expected to run dry by February 10.
As part of its plan to mitigate the impact, Air Canada will operate empty flights southbound to pick up approximately 3,000 customers already in Cuba and return them home over the coming days. The airline's priority is to ensure that its existing customers are not stranded on the island.
The fuel shortage has been caused by the US oil blockade of Venezuela, which has cut off Cuba's main source of jet fuel. Mexico, which had previously supplied a significant portion of Cuba's aviation gas, also ceased shipments under US pressure in mid-January.
Air Canada operates an average of 16 weekly flights to four destinations in Cuba and has cancelled seasonal flights to Holguin and Santa Clara. Flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco are scheduled to resume on May 1, pending a restart date.
The government's decision to close certain hotels with low occupancy rates is part of broader fuel-saving measures aimed at reducing the country's reliance on imported oil.
US President Donald Trump has vowed that Cuba would receive no more oil from Venezuela and has threatened to slap tariffs on any nation sending fuel to the island, effectively cutting off its supply of aviation gas. However, other carriers continue to operate flights into Havana, citing sufficient fuel reserves for their next trips.
Air Canada announced Monday that it will suspend its services to Cuba due to a growing aviation fuel shortage on the island, amid heightened tensions between the US and Venezuela. The decision comes as fuel supplies at major airports in Havana and other destinations are expected to run dry by February 10.
As part of its plan to mitigate the impact, Air Canada will operate empty flights southbound to pick up approximately 3,000 customers already in Cuba and return them home over the coming days. The airline's priority is to ensure that its existing customers are not stranded on the island.
The fuel shortage has been caused by the US oil blockade of Venezuela, which has cut off Cuba's main source of jet fuel. Mexico, which had previously supplied a significant portion of Cuba's aviation gas, also ceased shipments under US pressure in mid-January.
Air Canada operates an average of 16 weekly flights to four destinations in Cuba and has cancelled seasonal flights to Holguin and Santa Clara. Flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco are scheduled to resume on May 1, pending a restart date.
The government's decision to close certain hotels with low occupancy rates is part of broader fuel-saving measures aimed at reducing the country's reliance on imported oil.
US President Donald Trump has vowed that Cuba would receive no more oil from Venezuela and has threatened to slap tariffs on any nation sending fuel to the island, effectively cutting off its supply of aviation gas. However, other carriers continue to operate flights into Havana, citing sufficient fuel reserves for their next trips.
... Air Canada's decision to suspend ops in Cuba just means more tourists are stuck there with no way out, and I'm sure the Cuban government will take advantage of the situation by charging them exorbitant prices for any remaining services 
. And what's the point of having 3,000 customers fly back home on empty flights? Just a PR stunt to make it look like Air Canada cares about its passengers 
... Meanwhile, the US is just making things worse with their blockade and tariffs, who needs that kind of drama 
.
... Air Canada is basically saying 'oh no, our friends in Cuba are running out of gas' 
and they're stepping in with empty planes to rescue the tourists 
... but what's the real story here? 
Is it just the US being all dramatic again about Venezuela and Cuba? 
I mean, wouldn't other airlines, like those flying into Havana, be worried too? 
The government in Cuba is trying to save fuel, but so are they kinda relying on imports... this whole thing feels like a big mess 
. And now Air Canada has had to ground its operations due to the shortage... it's not ideal for passengers stuck in Cuba 
. The government is trying to reduce the country's reliance on imported oil, but this seems like a very short-term solution 
. I'm curious to see how this situation plays out and if other airlines will follow suit 
.
It seems kinda weird that Air Canada is taking a hit while others can just keep going. Maybe there's some behind-the-scenes stuff I'm not aware of? Where's the source on this?
Interesting that other airlines are still flying in despite the US sanctions... sounds like it's going to be a bumpy ride for travelers 
and yeah, it's not like other airlines aren't trying to capitalize on the situation either... still, gotta feel bad for the ppl who already booked flights to varadero 
Air Canada is basically saying that they won't fly to a country because of some US politics 
. Can't they just focus on getting people safely from point A to point B instead of getting all caught up in the drama?! 
.