Air Canada suspends Cuba flights amid crippling aviation fuel shortage

Air Canada has suspended all of its flights to Cuba effective immediately due to a severe shortage of jet fuel at the island's airports. The Canadian flag carrier announced on Monday it would operate empty aircraft to Cuba in the coming days to retrieve around 3,000 stranded passengers and return them home.

Direct cause and government warnings

The suspension follows official advisories from Cuban authorities warning that aviation fuel supplies at the nation's airports are unreliable and projected to become commercially unavailable. Air Canada stated it made the decision based on these government alerts and will monitor the situation to determine when normal service can safely resume. The airline emphasized its priority is the safe repatriation of current customers.

Geopolitical context of the fuel crisis

The acute fuel shortage in Cuba is linked to broader geopolitical pressures. U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatened tariffs on any country selling oil to Cuba, following an executive order in late January that declared the Cuban regime an "unusual and extraordinary threat." This has severely disrupted Cuba's import-dependent energy supply chain. The island relies on imports for about two-thirds of its energy needs, historically sourced from partners like Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia.

Cuba's emergency measures and wider impact

In response to the crisis, the Cuban government has unveiled a strict emergency plan that includes closing some hotels, reducing public office and hospital hours, and banning diesel sales. The aviation fuel shortage, which has grounded Air Canada's operations, is a direct manifestation of this broader energy emergency. The situation highlights the tangible impact of international sanctions and geopolitical maneuvers on civilian travel and basic infrastructure.