Two more Canadian airlines, WestJet and Air Transat, are pausing service to Cuba as the island reels from a shortage of fuel.
In a statement released Monday, WestJet said it is acting on information provided by the Cuban government indicating that commercial air service could be disrupted on short notice.
“Aligning with our focus to put guests and crew first and protect the integrity of our operation, WestJet Group has made the decision to begin an orderly wind down of our winter operations to Cuba,” the carrier said. “This is inclusive of WestJet, Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Quebec.”
WestJet is sending empty aircraft to Cuba to bring passengers back to Canada. The airplanes will carry sufficient fuel to depart from Cuba without relying on local supply, officials said.
Air Transat said it has suspended flights to Cuba until April 30. Customers with scheduled departures between Wednesday, Feb. 11, and April 30 will have their bookings automatically canceled and their money refunded, the carrier said.
Plans are in the works to bring Air Transat travelers currently in Cuba back to Canada.
“We understand that this situation may be worrying and want to assure you that our top priority is bringing you home,” the airline said in a message on its website. “We are currently organizing a return plan to Canada, which includes regular flights as well as additional repatriation flights.”
Air Canada was the first international airline to suspend service to Cuba over the fuel crisis. The carrier said early Monday that it will pause seasonal and year-round flights to the island and bring back around 3,000 customers.
The U.S. government is threatening to impose tariffs on any country that supplies Cuba with oil. As a result, stocks of jet fuel and other energy products are running low, with parts of the country experiencing daily blackouts.
The Trump administration has accused Cuba of supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region through its links to Russia, China, Iran, and militant groups in the Middle East.
