The French airline, Air France, has announced that it will continue its flights to Havana but will now include a technical stopover in the Caribbean to refuel. This change comes in response to the severe energy crisis in Cuba, which has made it impossible to refuel at the island's airports.
A spokesperson for Air France in Havana told AFP, “The company will maintain its route with a planned technical stop in another Caribbean country.” According to aviation industry sources, this refueling will take place in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. Although this is a temporary solution, it results in additional operational costs, delays, and potential disruptions for passengers, particularly for connecting flights in Paris and other European destinations.
Aviation Industry's Reaction: Adjustments and Cancellations
Air France's decision is part of a necessary adjustment due to the complete shortage of JetFuel in Cuba, which prevents long-haul international flights from refueling for their return journeys. While some airlines have chosen to cancel flights or alter operations, Air France has opted to maintain its connection by logistically adapting it.
On February 10, Cuba officially informed all airlines that its airports would be without JetFuel for at least a month, starting at midnight local time (05:00 UTC). This notification was formalized through a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), the official channel for communicating special conditions or restrictions in air navigation.
Other European airlines like Iberia and Air Europa have announced that they will operate the Madrid–Havana route with a stopover in Santo Domingo, whereas Air Canada has canceled its flights to the island. In contrast, U.S. airlines operating regular flights to Cuba have indicated they will maintain their schedules since their planes carry enough fuel to complete round trips without needing to refuel on the island.
Energy Crisis and Economic Impact
The fuel shortage for aviation is part of a broader national energy crisis, prompting the Cuban government to announce emergency measures to conserve resources and ensure the minimum functioning of sectors deemed strategic. The measures include a four-day workweek, promoting telework, severe restrictions on fuel sales, reducing interprovincial public transport services, temporarily closing non-essential tourist establishments, and cutting back on school days with a shift to semi-presential university classes.
These decisions are intended to allocate available fuel to areas like food production, electricity generation, and foreign currency earnings.
Underlying Causes: Venezuelan Oil and U.S. Pressure
This extreme fuel shortage was triggered by the collapse of Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela at the start of January, which led to the immediate halt of oil supplies to Cuba. For years, Cuba had relied heavily on Venezuelan oil under preferential conditions. This loss is now compounded by pressure from the United States. Last week, President Donald Trump signed a presidential decree warning of potential tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba, which the Cuban government has labeled as an attempt at “economic strangulation.”
Trump stated that Mexico would cease supplying oil to Cuba as it has since 2023, according to AFP. Washington justifies its policy by citing the alleged "exceptional threat" Cuba poses to U.S. national security, a claim that allows for urgent and unilateral measures.
With international tourism still slowly recovering post-pandemic, this new energy crisis deals a severe blow to Cuba's air connectivity during the peak season. Forced stopovers, flight restrictions, and cancellations not only inconvenience travelers but also limit the inflow of foreign currency, exacerbating the country's worst economic crisis in decades.
Impact of Cuba's Energy Crisis on Aviation and Economy
Why is Air France adding a stopover to its Cuba flights?
Air France is adding a stopover in the Caribbean to refuel due to the lack of aviation fuel in Cuban airports, as a result of the island's severe energy crisis.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented measures such as a four-day workweek, telework promotion, fuel sales restrictions, and reduced public transport services to conserve resources.
How has the U.S. administration influenced Cuba's current situation?
The U.S. administration, under President Trump, has added pressure by threatening tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba, exacerbating the island's economic difficulties.