Cuba tourism in crisis as fuel shortages spark flight suspensions and travel advisories

Cuba’s crucial tourism industry is unravelling amid a deepening fuel crisis that has disrupted transport, flights, and basic services, raising risks for travellers and insurers alike. What had been a key source of hard currency for the cash‑strapped Caribbean nation is now collapsing as jet fuel shortages are forcing carriers to suspend services and governments issue formal warnings.

Canadian airlines including Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat have suspended flights to Cuba, citing lack of aviation fuel, and repatriated thousands of holidaymakers, with some coming home on “empty jets” chartered solely to return passengers. The cancellations reflect a broader crisis: airports face jet fuel blackouts, and European carriers may require technical stops for refuelling.

Governments are taking note. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) now advises against all but essential travel to Cuba and urges holidaymakers to carry comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency costs and itinerary disruption. Canada and Ireland have also upgraded advisories, urging visitors to reconsider non‑essential travel amid power outages, transport breakdowns, and shortages of essentials.

On the ground, travellers have reported rationing of gasoline and power, cancellations of tours, and hotels consolidating guests to save energy, while taxi, food, and service networks struggle to cope.

For insurers, the situation presents evolving risk profiles. Policy provisions around foreign travel advisories, forced trip cancellation, evacuation, and emergency medical coverage will come under scrutiny as travellers and operators reassess bookings to Cuba.

The US recently restricted visa processing from 75 countries, including Cuba.