Major Canadian airlines have suspended service to Cuba as the Caribbean country faces a worsening energy crisis amid a U.S. blockade of oil.
Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat each said on Monday that they were cancelling flights to Cuba, citing a shortage of aviation fuel.
All three airlines said they had plans to bring travellers home to Canada.
Air Canada said it made the decision “following advisories issued by governments regarding the unreliability of the aviation fuel supply at Cuban airports,” adding that it would dispatch empty flights southbound to pick up about 3,000 travellers to bring them home.
“It is projected that as of Feb. 10 aviation fuel will not be commercially available at the island’s airports,” Air Canada said in a news release.
WestJet followed suit later Monday after initially saying it intended to continue flights as planned, announcing it had suspended sales for service to Cuba and cancelled scheduled trips.
Oil shipments were halted after the US exerted pressure on Cuba’s key suppliers, Venezuela and Mexico.
With energy supplies squeezed, tourists face delays, and Cubans fear their hardships will be compounded.Newsonair
Canadian airlines suspend services to Cuba amid aviation fuel shortage
News On AIR | February 10, 2026 11:12 AM
Canadian airlines suspend services to Cuba amid aviation fuel shortage
Canadian airlines suspend services to Cuba amid aviation fuel shortage
Several Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat, suspended their services to Cuba, citing an aviation fuel shortage on the island. This suspension comes as the US tightens its grip on the nation’s oil supply by blocking shipments from Venezuela.
A statement by the Air Canada airline said that it will operate empty flights to Cuba to pick up and return customers. Over the following days, the empty flights will pick up nearly three thousand passengers already at their destination and return them home. It is projected that by tomorrow, aviation fuel will not be commercially available at the island’s airports.
