For decades, Cuba's tourism sector has enjoyed a reputation as an "economic locomotive" a term used by authorities who saw it as the lifeblood of the Caribbean island country's economy. But the industry has been in decline since its 2018 peak, and the U.S. government's squeeze on Cuba's oil supply has pushed the nation's most crucial industry closer to its breaking point.
Air Transat said it was canceling all flights to Cuba until at least April 30. This follows "the rapid developments of the past few hours and the announcement by Cuban authorities of an anticipated aviation fuel shortage at destination airports," it said in a statement. Cuba warned on Sunday that jet fuel will be unavailable at airports across the island beginning 10 February through 11 March.