New Delhi: Air Canada has suspended flights to Cuba after it was warned that fuel supplies are nearing exhaustion in the island country.
As per the Air Canada, the airline said it would cancel services to Cuba and operate empty flights to bring home around 3,000 passengers already on the island, after Cuban authorities cautioned carriers that aviation fuel would soon be unavailable at major airports, according to a Reuters report.
Apart from Air Canada, some other international airlines are trying to adjust schedules, refuel in third countries or reconsider flying to Cuba.
Nine airports affected in Cuba
Earlier, Cuban authorities told airlines that it was expecting that jet fuel would exhaust this week, and the crisis could last until at least mid-March. Nine airports, including Havana’s José Martí International Airport, are expected to be hit by the fuel shortage.
Some European and Russian airlines are trying to find options like carrying additional fuel or making refuelling stops in nearby countries like the Dominican Republic. However, industry officials caution that these steps spike costs, add complexity and cause delays. They contend such measures won’t be able to sustain if the crisis continues.
What’s behind the crisis
Cuba is reeling under energy crisis. The country is dependent hugely on imported oil and refined products. Oil supplies from important partners have plunged. Hence, the country is grappling with energy crunch, and is unable to meet basic fuel needs for transport, power generation and aviation.
Cubans are facing disruptions in their daily life due to the energy crisis. Intermittent power outages have become the order of the day, and fuel rationing a norm. The aviation sector, the backbone of tourism and foreign currency inflows, has been adversely affected.
Tourism has a large share in Cuba’s economy; it also generates jobs. If the fuel shortage drags on and flights are grounded, it would have wide repercussions. The prolonged crisis could drive away tourists and cancellations could swamp the airlines and tour operators.