Russian airlines evacuate tourists and halt Cuba flights

16:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Russian airlines evacuate tourists and halt Cuba flights

Two major Russian airlines will evacuate their tourists from Cuba and suspend operations to the island as a severe aviation fuel shortage disrupts the Caribbean nation, Russia’s aviation authority announced Wednesday.

Rossiya Airlines, part of the Aeroflot Group, and Nordwind Airlines, also known as Severny Veter, will repatriate Russian travelers in the coming days before pausing their flight programs until fuel supplies stabilize, the Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsia said in a statement.

The move follows an official warning from Cuban authorities to international carriers that jet fuel would be unavailable starting Tuesday. The announcement marks a sharp escalation in an aviation crisis that has stranded thousands of tourists and triggered widespread flight cancellations by airlines worldwide.

The Russian suspensions come after similar steps by Canadian carriers earlier this week. Air Canada halted its 32 weekly flights to eight Cuban destinations and began emergency repatriation services for roughly 3,000 stranded Canadians. WestJet and Air Transat also suspended operations, with estimates suggesting that around 10,000 Canadian travelers were left on the island.

A Notice to Airmen issued by José Martí International Airport in Havana confirmed that Jet A-1 fuel would be unavailable at Cuba’s nine international airports from Feb. 10 through at least March 11. The advisory affects more than 400 weekly flights and over 70,000 scheduled seats for February alone.

European and Latin American carriers, including Iberia, Air Europa and American Airlines, have also canceled services, added emergency refueling stops in Jamaica, Mexico or the Dominican Republic, or adjusted flight schedules in response to the shortage.

The fuel crisis stems from mounting pressure linked to U.S. policy. On Jan. 29, President Donald Trump signed an executive order threatening 30 percent tariffs on any country that sells or supplies oil to Cuba. Mexico subsequently halted oil shipments to avoid potential penalties.

The situation worsened after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, cutting off supplies from Cuba’s main historical oil provider. The Trump administration has described Cuba as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security.

Cuba currently produces only about one third of the fuel it consumes and has struggled to secure stable imports. The government has introduced emergency measures including reduced banking hours, fuel rationing and restrictions on public services. Power outages lasting up to 10 hours a day now affect Havana, with some regions experiencing blackouts exceeding 20 hours.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned what he described as cruel aggression by Washington, while Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with Havana and said Moscow is exploring potential solutions to assist the island.