Air Canada cancels all flights to Cuba amid aviation fuel shortage

Air Canada has cancelled all flights to Cuba after the island’s authorities said they were running out of aviation fuel, a consequence of the US oil blockade. The airline said it would begin repatriating 3,000 customers. Cuba’s beaches are a major winter draw for Canadian tourists and one of the government’s most important sources of hard currency.

Other carriers from Russia, China, Turkey, France and Spain have also been affected, and airlines were told by a Notice to Aviation (NOTAM) that supplies would remain restricted until at least 11 March. Aeroflot said its subsidiary Rossiya would continue operating flights to Cuba though routes may be adjusted to allow for refuelling, and Russia’s tourism board said about 4,500 of their tourists are now in Cuba.

European airlines have experience of similar disruptions and are adapting: Air Europa has said it will stop for fuel in the Dominican Republic, while Air Transat expects to operate as scheduled by using contingency measures such as technical stops.

Cuba

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