Air Canada suspends Cuba flights and sends planes for stranded passengers

Air Canada suspended all flights to Cuba and deployed empty aircraft to repatriate stranded passengers. The airline acted after the country's fuel supply was exhausted. Cuban authorities linked that shortage to the United States blockade and the end of fuel supplies from Venezuela. The suspension covered every Air Canada flight to the island, not a single route.

A blockade, as used here, is the United States embargo restricting Cuba's trade. Jet fuel is the aviation kerosene airliners need to depart. Cuba had already suspended refueling for airliners at its airports, including José Martí International Airport, saying the fuel was gone. Air Canada's step followed that exhaustion of supply.

Empty aircraft are planes flown in without passengers so they can carry people out. The report said those planes were deployed to repatriate stranded passengers. It did not say how many travelers were waiting or how many recovery flights would operate. Repatriate, in this use, means to bring the passengers back from Cuba.

The end of fuel supplies from Venezuela was given as part of the cause alongside the blockade. The account did not quantify Venezuela's previous deliveries. Mexico, in a separate report the same day, deployed two navy vessels, including the ARM Papaloapan, carrying more than 800 tonnes of humanitarian aid. That aid sailing was distinct from Air Canada's passenger recovery.

Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla condemned the blockade as cruel and accused United States president Donald Trump of trying to break the political will of the Cuban people. Russia called for an immediate end to the blockade to avoid a humanitarian crisis and said it would explore ways to help. Those diplomatic comments sat beside the airline decision. They did not restore fuel.

Air Canada stopped flying to Cuba and sent empty planes for stranded passengers because jet fuel had run out. The shortage was attributed to the United States blockade and the end of Venezuelan fuel supplies. Mexico sent more than 800 tonnes of aid aboard two navy ships. Cuban and Russian statements demanded relief from the blockade.