Urgent travel advice has been issued for holidaymakers thinking of heading to Cuba as the Foreign Office warns several airlines are suspending flights to and from the island
The Foreign Office has issued fresh travel advice as some airlines have suspended all flights to and from a country.
The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Cuba after authorities there announced all of its international airports are without aviation fuel.
It comes as Cuba is experiencing blackouts as the country struggles with dwindling oil reserves. It follows the US attacking Venezuela in early January, a move that halted critical petroleum shipments.
The FCDO said on Thursday: “Cuba is experiencing severe and worsening disruption to essential infrastructure, persistent power outages across the country and fuel shortages.” It added that some flights are being diverted to new transport hubs, while some airlines – including Air France – have completely suspended flights until mid-June.
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The FCDO said: “These conditions are significantly affecting the ability of visitors to access reliable transport, medical care, communications, and basic services.
“Authorities have introduced fuel rationing, scaled back public services, and made temporary changes to healthcare, education, transport and tourism operations to conserve severely limited energy supplies.”
Terminal 2 at José Martí International Airport, which services flights to the USA and some charter flights, has been closed with flights diverted to Terminal 3. Some airlines, including all Canadian airlines and LATAM, have suspended flights to and from Cuba, with others reviewing routes.
Air France has announced the suspension of flights between Paris and Havana from March 29 to June 14, with the last departure from Havana to Paris Charles de Gaulle scheduled for March 28. Options for leaving the country could reduce further if the situation worsens.
If you are considering leaving Cuba, check for messaging from your airline or tour operator for up-to-date information. Ensure your travel documents remain valid and confirm you have any required visas for onward travel.
If you are currently in Cuba, carefully consider if your presence is essential. Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption.
