Air Canada has suspended flights to Cuba after the island warned airlines that jet fuel would not be available. The move lands amid an escalating energy crunch and fresh U.S. measures targeting Cuba’s fuel supply. Russian carriers have begun evacuating tourists and plan to pause operations as well. Rosaviatsia said services will halt once repatriations finish.
Air Canada Cuba flights suspended
Cuban authorities told international airlines that jet fuel would be unavailable starting this week. That triggered schedule cuts and suspensions, including Air Canada’s Cuba network. Airlines rely on local fueling for turnarounds; without it, most cannot operate safely or economically.
Fuel squeeze and U.S. pressure
The crisis has tightened since early January. The U.S. captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro on January 3, disrupting a key crude source for Cuba. President Donald Trump then signed a January 29 executive order declaring Cuba an “extraordinary threat” and authorizing tariffs on countries that supply it with oil. Tariffs are border taxes imposed on imported goods. Together, these steps amplified Cuba’s fuel shortfall.
Havana signals openness, Washington sets terms
President Miguel Díaz‑Canel said he is ready to negotiate with Washington to ease economic pain, while pledging “creative resilience.” In parallel, U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, framed sanctions as pressure for change in Havana. Sanctions are legal restrictions on trade and finance. The political standoff shapes the energy outlook and airlines’ decisions.
Tourism hit hard as Canadians stay away
Canada remains Cuba’s largest tourism market, yet visits fell last year. ONEI, Cuba’s statistics office, reported about 754,000 Canadian arrivals in 2025, well below the pre-pandemic average of 1.3 million. Resorts have struggled with blackouts and supply gaps. A shrinking Canadian presence strains a sector long dependent on winter travel from Canada. Oficina Nacional de Estadística e Información (ONEI)
Ottawa’s travel advice and consular posture
Global Affairs Canada urges travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to worsening shortages of electricity, fuel, food, water and medicine. A travel advisory is official guidance that flags risks and disruptions. The notice also warns that flight availability could change on short notice—now underscored by airline suspensions.
What this means for travellers and Cuba’s economy
Near-term flight options will narrow as carriers redeploy aircraft and protect operations that can be reliably fueled. Rebookings may require connections through third countries with fueling guaranteed. For Cuba, fewer seats mean fewer tourists and less hard currency, adding pressure on an economy already hit by blackouts and rationing. Airlines will watch fuel access, sanctions exposure and demand before restoring service.
Cuba’s leaders say they want dialogue, while Washington links relief to political change. Until energy supplies stabilize, schedules will remain fragile. Travellers should monitor airline alerts and Canada’s advisory for updates as conditions evolve.
