The Canadian government has issued an updated travel advisory for Cuba, urging Canadians to avoid non-essential trips to the country due to fuel shortages and reduced flight services by Canadian airlines. The advisory, updated on Wednesday, advises travelers to check their flights and avoid extending their stay.
Major Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat, have suspended their services to Cuba. Air Canada announced plans to bring back around 3,000 customers currently in Cuba by flying empty planes to pick them up and return them to Canada in the coming days. The decision was made based on advisories regarding the unreliability of aviation fuel supply at Cuban airports.
WestJet also announced it would suspend winter operations to Cuba starting Monday, with plans to resume service on April 26. Additionally, Air Transat initially planned to continue its flights but later decided to suspend services until April 30, with affected bookings automatically canceled and refunded. The airline is organizing a return plan to Canada for affected travelers.
Havana’s José Martí International Airport issued a NOTAM warning of the unavailability of Jet A1 fuel, effective until March 11. This fuel shortage in Cuba has been exacerbated by a lack of oil products from Venezuela, a key ally, since mid-December.
In response to flight disruptions, airlines like Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Sunwing are providing flexible rebooking and cancellation options for affected passengers. Air Canada highlighted that it operates multiple weekly flights to Cuba from Toronto and Montreal.
While the fuel shortage poses challenges, experts suggest that Cuba is efficiently managing its resources and prioritizing tourist facilities to maintain operations. Despite the travel advisory, travelers can still refuel at alternative airports in the Caribbean, with airlines like Air France and Air Europa adjusting their routes for refueling stops.
As the situation evolves, travelers should stay informed of updates and consider alternative travel arrangements to ensure a smooth journey amid the ongoing travel disruptions to Cuba.