In a significant disruption for travellers, Canada’s leading airlines have suspended all flights to Cuba due to a severe energy crisis on the island. WestJet, Air Transat, and Air Canada have grounded their planned operations, which were set to transport over 100,000 passengers to various destinations in Cuba this month. This immediate cessation of services comes as a response to Cuba’s diminishing jet fuel supplies, exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Flight Cancellations and Their Impact
Originally, more than 600 flights were scheduled to depart from Canada to Cuba this month, but now empty aircraft will be dispatched from Toronto and Montreal to bring back Canadians currently in Cuba. This development leaves many travellers stranded and raises concerns about the future of tourism in the region, which is heavily reliant on Canadian visitors.
The underlying issue stems from Cuba’s crippling energy crisis, primarily triggered by the United States’ oil embargo. Historically, the island depended on Venezuelan oil, but since the U.S. imposed sanctions following the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, this vital resource has been cut off. Mexico, Cuba’s second-largest oil supplier, has also halted oil exports under pressure from the U.S., leading to a situation where Cuba is nearly out of jet fuel.
The Humanitarian Crisis
The consequences of this energy crisis extend beyond travel disruptions. With rolling blackouts lasting between 10 to 20 hours commonplace, more than three million Cubans—about a third of the population—lack reliable access to water. Food and medical supplies are increasingly scarce, and an alarming rise in mosquito-borne illnesses is overwhelming the healthcare system. A recent report by the Social Rights Observatory highlighted that 89 per cent of families in Cuba live in extreme poverty.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has publicly condemned the U.S. embargo, denouncing it as “criminal” and “inhumane.” In response to the ongoing crisis, he has rolled out emergency measures reminiscent of the austerity plan known as “Option Zero,” first implemented during the collapse of Soviet support in the 1990s. These measures include food rationing, a reduced work week, and limited public services.
A Call for Solutions
During a recent press conference, Diaz-Canel called for a solution to the dire situation, but the specifics remain unclear. The Cuban government has limited resources to negotiate with the U.S., and as the crisis deepens, the outlook appears bleak. The failure to secure adequate fuel supplies not only jeopardises the travel industry but also threatens the livelihoods of countless Cubans who depend on tourism.
The cancellation of flights from Canada, which represented a significant portion of Cuba’s tourist arrivals—over 750,000 Canadians visited in 2025—further compounds the difficulties faced by the island. The country’s tourism sector, which has yet to recover fully from the COVID-19 pandemic, is now left in a precarious position.
Why it Matters
The suspension of flights to Cuba by Canadian airlines is not merely an inconvenience for travellers; it highlights the broader humanitarian crisis affecting the island. The combination of economic sanctions, energy shortages, and systemic poverty creates a pressing need for international dialogue and assistance. As more Canadians find themselves unable to visit Cuba, the implications for the island’s economy and social fabric become increasingly severe, calling for urgent action from both the international community and local authorities to alleviate the suffering of its citizens.
