Air Canada has suspended its flights to Cuba due to a severe aviation fuel shortage on the island, with the airline stating that it took the decision following advisories from governments regarding the unreliability of fuel supply at Cuban airports.
As of February 10, it is projected that commercial aviation fuel will no longer be available at airports in Cuba. To address this issue, Air Canada plans to tanker additional fuel and make technical stops if necessary on its return journey.
The airline's immediate priority is to return around 3,000 customers who are currently in Cuba back to Canada via empty flights that will operate southbound to pick up passengers from various destinations across the island.
This move comes amid the ongoing US oil blockade against Cuba, which has severely impacted the island nation's ability to import fuel. The measure is expected to affect nine major international airports on the island, including Havana and Cayo Coco.
Air Canada's operations in Cuba are already scaled back, with seasonal flights to Holguin and Santa Clara cancelled, while routes to Varadero and Cayo Coco will continue year-round but are scheduled to restart on May 1.
As of February 10, it is projected that commercial aviation fuel will no longer be available at airports in Cuba. To address this issue, Air Canada plans to tanker additional fuel and make technical stops if necessary on its return journey.
The airline's immediate priority is to return around 3,000 customers who are currently in Cuba back to Canada via empty flights that will operate southbound to pick up passengers from various destinations across the island.
This move comes amid the ongoing US oil blockade against Cuba, which has severely impacted the island nation's ability to import fuel. The measure is expected to affect nine major international airports on the island, including Havana and Cayo Coco.
Air Canada's operations in Cuba are already scaled back, with seasonal flights to Holguin and Santa Clara cancelled, while routes to Varadero and Cayo Coco will continue year-round but are scheduled to restart on May 1.
... Air Canada just suspended flights to Cuba out of the blue? Something fishy going on here 
... This US oil blockade has been in place for years, and now our friends at Air Canada are leaving? It's like they're trying to send a message or something 
. And those 3,000 passengers stuck in Cuba? Nice little "service" from the airline, huh 
. I mean, what if this is just another excuse to cancel their seasonal flights and make a quick buck off the remaining routes? That tanker job they're talking about sounds like a whole lot of hooey 
... and don't even get me started on those technical stops 
... Air Canada's got some 'splainin' to do!
this is such a shame! i mean air canada is trying their best to make it work but a severe fuel shortage can really hit travel plans hard 
i feel bad for all those customers stuck in cuba 
at least the airline is trying to be proactive and tank up extra fuel on their way back 
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hope everything gets sorted out soon so they can get these passengers home safely 
Idk if Im gonna feel bad for Cuba or not tho, lol 
. But seriously, this US oil blockade is straight wierd and its having these crazy ripple effects all over the place. Air Canada should def try to help them out instead of just suspending flights tho, like cant they just send some fuel or somethin? 
.