Russia Halts Flights to Cuba Due to Fuel Shortage
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency announced on Wednesday that flights to Cuba will be temporarily suspended. This decision comes after airlines reported challenges in refueling their planes on the island.
The airlines involved, Rossiya and Nordwind, both part of the Aeroflot Group, stated that they had to change their flight schedules due to difficulties in securing fuel. In the near future, Rossiya plans to conduct a few outbound-only flights from Havana and Varadero to Moscow, allowing Russian tourists to return home before ceasing operations.
Once these repatriation flights are over, Rossiya will pause its service to Cuba until the fuel situation improves. The agency emphasized that this decision was made with the passengers’ best interests in mind.
Additionally, the Transport Ministry is maintaining communication with Cuban aviation authorities to explore options for restoring flights in the future.
This news follows recent tensions surrounding Cuba’s oil supply, as reported by the U.S. government. Two weeks ago, the U.S. President declared a national emergency concerning Cuba, enacting measures intended to limit the island’s access to oil.
In related news, an advisory issued to pilots indicated that Jet A-1 fuel is currently unavailable at several Cuban airports. This notice affects airports in Havana, Varadero, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Camagüey, Cayo Coco, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, and Manzanillo, remaining in place until March 11.
The situation remains fluid as authorities work to find solutions for flight operations and fuel availability.
