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Cuban aviation authorities have announced that the country has run out of jet fuel, with airlines from foreign countries such as the US unable to refuel their aircraft during stopovers in Cuba for a month as of tomorrow. The news comes amid heavy pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has also threatened to issue tariffs on other nations that supply Cuba with oil as diplomatic tensions rise.
For foreign airlines flying to and from Cuba, this means fueling their aircraft more heavily at their home bases so that they can make it there and back without having to top up. Previously, such situations have sometimes forced carriers to add refueling stops elsewhere en route, adding time, cost, and complexity to their international flights. Meanwhile, Russia has criticized the US’s pressure on Cuba.
No Fuel For A Month
As reported by EFE, Cuban aviation authorities have released a NOTAM confirming that, on account of shortages, Jet A1 fuel will no longer be available to foreign carriers looking to refuel at several of the country’s major international airports for the near future. As seen in the table below, the suspension of availability will come into effect tomorrow and last a month, with the suspension set to be lifted in March.
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Cuba’s Fuel Suspension |
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|---|---|
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Start Date |
End Date |
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Tuesday, February 10, 05:00 UTC |
Wednesday, March 11, 05:00 UTC |
In addition to the country’s main airport in Havana, the suspension also applies in Camagüey, Cayo Coco, Cienfuegos, Holguín, Manzanillo, Santa Clara, Santiago, and Varadero. Cuba will reportedly take a considerable economic hit as a result of the fuel shortages, with Russia, a close ally, highlighting the critical nature of the situation. CNBC quotes Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying that:
“The situation in Cuba is truly critical. (…) We are in intensive contact with our Cuban friends through diplomatic and other channels. (…) The US’s stranglehold is causing many difficulties for the country.”
Trump Wades In Again
A key reason behind the shortage in Cuba, which has prompted it to suspend the supply of Jet A1 to foreign carriers such as those from the US, has been the crusade by American President Donald Trump against countries supplying the nation with oil. Indeed, Trump has threatened to issue tariffs against those providing oil to Cuba, prompting them to withdraw their supply and thus causing the shortage.
According to CNBC, Trump’s actions against Cuba, a country that has never exactly been the best of friends with the US, are fueled by his administration’s position that the Cuban government poses “an unusual and extraordinary threat.” Specifically, Trump alleges that Cuba’s leadership, as well as its close ties with the likes of China and Russia, threatens to destabilize Latin America and the Caribbean.
The US President reportedly cites “migration and violence” as driving forces behind this threatened destabilization, with Latin America already finding itself in a volatile state following US military action in nearby Venezuela at the start of the year. Operational disruptions are expected as a result of the shortage, with Merco Press noting that US, Spanish, Panamanian, and Mexican carriers will be hit the hardest.
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Which Foreign Airlines Currently Fly To Cuba?
Despite long-running diplomatic tensions, Cuba remains a popular tourism destination, particularly among travelers seeking a bit of much-needed winter sun. For this reason, its airports play host to a wide variety of foreign airlines, with current scheduling data made available by Cirium, an aviation analytics company, showing that WestJet sits at the top of the tree. Its Canadian rival Air Transat also ranks third.
This February, these airlines have respectively penciled in 794 and 282 flights on their routes to and from airports in Cuba, and American Airlines sits between them in second place with 580 services. Elsewhere, Copa Airlines, 
Air Canada, and Viva Aerobus also all have three-figure totals, respectively clocking in at 232, 124, and 120. Needless to say, such carriers will be hoping for a prompt resolution.
