Cuba’s airports ‘without aviation fuel’ as power crisis deepens

Cuba’s travel difficulties deepened before the weekend with the Foreign Office reporting that aviation fuel supplies had run dry across all of the island’s nine international airports.

 

The latest travel advisory came on Friday night, just 48 hours after an official warning against all but essential travel to the Caribbean island nation amid a growing fuel crisis.

 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)  said: “Cuban authorities have announced that all nine of its international airports are without aviation fuel at this time. 

 

“Some airlines are reviewing routes or temporarily cancelling services which risk visitors being unable to leave the country, although other operators are continuing their services through using refuelling stops.” 

 

While there are no direct flights between the UK and Cuba, the island is served by a handful of specialist tour operators using airlines flying via third countries.

 

The latest update issued by Intrepid Travel last Thursday reiterated its previous stance that trips in Cuba were continuing to operate as normal. 

 

“Although the country is experiencing a significant fuel shortage, fuel distribution has been prioritised for strategic sectors such as tourism to sustain essential economic activity,” the operator said.

 

“As a result, tourism-related services remain operational, even while some parts of the country face extended power outages and broader limitations.

 

“Local communities continue to welcome visitors, as tourism provides important income for families and small businesses.

 

“Travellers are not seen as contributing to the current challenges - in fact, your visit supports local livelihoods during a difficult period.

 

“We are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates if anything changes.”

 

But Ambassador Cruise Line abandoned a planned call into Havana today (Monday).

 

The line disclosed that the ship Ambience would no longer proceed with its scheduled call to the Cuban capital during a 40-night ‘Jewels of the Caribbean Sea’ itinerary.

 

“This follows updated guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which Wednesday 11 February issued an advisory against all but essential travel to the Caribbean island nation,” the line posted on Facebook.

 

“The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew is always our primary consideration.

 

“In light of the revised guidance, guests on board have been advised that we have secured two additional calls this weekend instead of Cuba.

 

“Ambience will now call at Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe, on Saturday 14 February and Basseterre, St Kitts, on Sunday 15 February. The rest of the schedule will continue as planned.

“Ambassador Cruise Line apologises for any disappointment or inconvenience that this change may cause and would like to thank guests and crew for their understanding.”