Air Canada has announced the suspension of its flights to Cuba, effective immediately, owing to a significant shortage of aviation fuel on the island. The airline indicated that it will be operating return flights without passengers over the next few days to repatriate approximately 3,000 customers currently stranded in Cuba. This decision comes after government advisories (Notam) indicated that the reliability of aviation fuel supplies at Cuban airports is in jeopardy.

As of February 10, Air Canada reported that aviation fuel will no longer be available for purchase at airports in Cuba, prompting the airline to take necessary precautions. For the remaining flights, they will transport additional fuel and make technical stops to refuel if required during their return journeys. These measures indicate that while the discontinuation of flights is a significant disruption, Air Canada is focused on ensuring that its customers can return safely and efficiently to their homes.

Air Canada is closely monitoring the situation in Cuba to assess when it might be appropriate to resume normal flight services. With the priority being the well-being of its passengers, the airline is taking steps to address the current challenges while remaining prepared to re-establish routes as conditions improve in Cuba.