Venezuela’s state airline Conviasa assured in a statement that has not canceled its commercial operations with Cuba and Nicaragua, but that their itineraries have been adjusted to ensure the transportation of users to their destinations.
According to the notification, cited by ANSAthe decision responds to “external factors” that forced reorganize the programming of the Caracas-Havana-Managua route.
Conviasa explained that an aeronautical notice (Notam) issued by the Cuban authorities warns of “serious difficulties” for refueling at the country’s airports, due to the shortage of Jet A-1 caused by the current energy crisis.
In addition, the company pointed out that the new immigration requirements imposed by the Government of Managua influenced the review of schedules and frequencies to Nicaragua, he said. ANSA.
The originally planned flights were rescheduled with a reduced itinerary that includes some connections between Caracas and Havana on specific dates and a single connection to Managua on February 19, all operated with A-340 aircraft.
Suspension and rescheduling of flights
According to EFELast Sunday, the Cuban authorities informed the airlines through the Notam system about the situation, affecting the country’s nine international airports.
The notice is, in principle, valid for one month, from February 10 to March 11.
Companies with daily flights to the island, mainly American, Spanish, Mexican and Panamanian, began to adopt emergency measures.
While some mexican airlines They stated that they maintain the connection without interruptions, the Spanish chose to add a technical scale in Santo Domingo to refuel.
However, key countries in the emission of tourists such as Canada and Russia announced the temporary suspension of flights.
Cuban authorities reported that the country has not had airplane fuel since this week, which led the four Canadian airlines that transported tourists to cancel operations.
Russia announces temporary cessation of flights to Cuba due to the fuel crisis on the island
Hard impact on tourism: Russia and Canada cancel flights to Cuba
Air Canada, Westjet (owner of Sunwing) and Transat reported the suspension of their services to Cuba due to the fuel deficit, waiting for the evolution of the situation. In total, just over a hundred weekly flights were cancelled.
For its part, the Russian civil aviation agency Rosaviatsia announced that Russia will also temporarily suspend flights after evacuating tourists stranded on the island.
“Due to the difficulties in supplying aircraft fuel in Cuba, the Rossiya and Nordwind airlines were forced to modify their flight program,” the entity indicated on Telegram.
Rossiya will carry out in the coming days several return flights only from Havana and Varadero to Moscow to guarantee the return of Russian tourists.
Likewise, the operator Pegas Touristik announced the cessation of the sale of new tourist packages.
The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, stated that they maintain “intense contacts with Cuban friends” and described the situation on the island as “really critical.”
Cuba loses its main source of tourists after the suspension of flights from Canada
Aggravated crisis
Cuba is going through a deep economic crisis, with a cumulative drop in GDP of more than 15%, shortage of basic goods, prolonged blackouts, high inflation, partial dollarization and mass migration, he said. EFE.
The increase in US pressure in recent weeks, added to more than six decades of economic blockade from Washington, has aggravated the scenario, leaving the island in the middle of an unprecedented crisis that now also impacts its air connectivity.
Flights between Cuba and Mexico continue normally despite the energy crisis on the island
