Aviation authorities announced on Wednesday that Russia will temporarily suspend flights to Cuba after airlines encountered issues refueling their aircraft on the island.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsia stated in a Telegram-posted announcement that Rossiya (an Aeroflot Group airline) and Nordwind have had to adjust their flight programs due to challenges securing fuel in Cuba.
In the coming days, the airlines will operate several one-way flights from Havana and Varadero to Moscow to repatriate Russian tourists before halting service.
Once those repatriation flights are completed, the airlines’ Cuba operations will be suspended until the situation improves, the agency said, describing the decision as made “in the interests of passengers.”
The affected carriers and Rosaviatsia noted they are maintaining close contact with Cuban aviation authorities and exploring alternative options to restore two-way service.
The announcement comes two weeks after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over Cuba and authorized new measures aimed at cutting off the island’s oil supplies.
In a Jan. 29 executive order, Trump said Cuba poses an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and empowered his administration to impose penalties on any country that “directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides any oil to Cuba.”
The order, which took effect Jan. 30, allows additional duties on imports from countries found supplying oil to Havana—part of what Trump described as a “zero tolerance” policy toward the Cuban government.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s website shows a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM)—an official pilot alert about hazards or operational disruptions—was posted Feb. 10 for nine Cuban airports warning Jet A-1 fuel is unavailable.
The advisory covers Havana (MUHA), Varadero (MUVR), Cienfuegos (MUCF), Santa Clara (MUSC), Camagüey (MUCM), Cayo Coco (MUCC), Holguín (MUHG), Santiago de Cuba (MUCU) and Manzanillo (MUMZ), and remains in effect through March 11.