Airlines stop flying into Cuba as the nation's fuel crisis worsens.

In 2015, Cuba opened up its borders significantly to American travel under the Obama administration, and since been a major tourism destination within North America, particularly for Canadians. 

Tourism is a primary source of foreign currency for Cuba, with a peak between 2018-19 of approximately 4 million visitors per year.

This industry has been suffering due to several factors, but most significantly, the sanctions being imposed on Cuba by the United States. The nation is facing an economic crisis due to shortages of fuel, food, and medicine. 

This is a result of the Trump administration's reversal of the “thaw” relations introduced by President Obama. CNN reported that “US President Donald Trump has said Cuba can avoid a total cut-off by striking “a deal” with the US, one potentially requiring the return of property confiscated from Cuban exiles who left the island following the 1959 revolution.”

As Cuba’s fuel supply continues to dwindle, major airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, and Transat have halted flights to Cuba in fears they will not be able to refuel for the return journey. Dr. Lorri Krebs, a Professor and Chair of the Department of Geography & Sustainability at Salem State University, says, “Canada is consistently Cuba’s largest single source market. Recent official‑style reporting indicates that Canadian travelers account for 42% of stopover visitors, with some variation by season.” 

The Spanish airlines Iberia and Air Europa will continue flights to Havana for the time being, but stated they will need to land in the Dominican Republic to refuel aircrafts.

Dr. Krebs says, “Cuba remains a well‑known Caribbean destination, particularly for sun‑and‑sea resort tourism and cultural travel, but its recovery has lagged behind regional peers. Visitor volumes remain well below pre‑pandemic levels and late‑2010s peaks, reflecting persistent challenges including energy reliability, supply shortages, and constrained air connectivity. Total international visitors: 2022: 1.61 million, but in 2019 (pre-pandemic): 4.28 million.” 

Concerning the halting of flights, Dr. Krebs says, “This will have an immediate impact across Cuba. Foreign‑currency inflows will decline quickly and will have staggering direct and indirect impacts affecting hotels, transportation, restaurants, tour companies/excursions, and most importantly for the citizens working in tourism, tipping income.”

“U.S. policy documents frame these measures within a broader strategy aimed at political and human‑rights objectives. Critics and analysts, on the other hand, argue that the impact functions as economic pressure by restricting access to hard currency,” says Dr. Krebs.

 Regardless of the United States government's reasoning for putting these sanctions on Cuba, the negative economic effects are being felt across many industries and are affecting the quality of life for everyday Cubans.