itstargetnews
Rep. Carlos Giménez, R-Florida, joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss President Donald Trump’s increased pressure on Cuba, threats to national security from communist regimes and the fight to end foreign oil shipments to the island.
Several airlines suspended flights to Cuba on Monday after warnings that the island is running out of jet fuel following President Donald Trump’s tariff threats on oil shipments to the communist country.
At least three Canadian airlines, including the country’s largest airline, Air Canada, said aviation fuel is expected to be unavailable for commercial use at airports starting this week.
Other Canadian airlines, including low-cost carrier WestJet and leisure carrier Air Transat, also canceled flights due to expected fuel shortages.
Cuban authorities issued a warning on Sunday that aviation fuel will not be available at the country’s airports for a month, until March 11 at the earliest, as the Trump administration steps up economic pressure on the island nation’s third-party oil suppliers.
Several airlines suspended flights to Cuba on Monday following warnings that the island is running out of jet fuel as a result of the Trump administration’s actions against countries that supply oil to the island nation. (Mike Campbell/NurPhoto/Getty/Getty Images)
On Monday, the three airlines issued similar warnings canceling departures and announcing plans to operate repatriation flights over the next few days to bring back customers currently in Cuba.
“As of today it is suspending its service in Cuba “Due to a shortage of aviation fuel on the island,” Air Canada said. “Over the next few days, the airline will operate empty southbound flights to pick up approximately 3,000 customers already at their destination and return them home.”
While WestJet said it will ensure its flights carry enough fuel to “depart safely without relying on local fuel availability,” Air Canada said its repatriation flights will arrive empty and make the necessary technical stops to refuel on the return journey.
Air Transat added that it will suspend flights to Cuba until April 30 and refund customers for trips that have not yet begun.
TRUMP SAYS CUBA IS ‘READY TO FALL’ AFTER CAPTURE OF VENEZUELA’S MADURO
Air Canada has suspended service to Cuba due to fuel shortages. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Several US airlines told FOX Business that US operations on the island will continue without major disruptions.
Southwest and Delta Air Lines he noted that airlines currently operate one flight a day there from Havana.
“Due to the current state of aviation fuel in Cuba, Southwest Airlines requires aircraft flying to Havana to carry sufficient fuel to also fly to their next destination,” the airline said. “The airline currently operates one daily flight to Havana. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
Delta confirmed that its scheduled daily round trip between Miami and Havana is not affected by the fuel shortage, as the short route can be operated without carrying excess fuel.
The island’s warning of fuel shortages comes just two days after Cuban officials said air travel would not be immediately affected by the country’s fuel rationing plan announced over the weekend.
According to the Cuban media I shout from BaireCuban Transport Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila said international airports are operating without difficulty.
AFTER MADURO, VENEZUELA IS FACING DIFFICULT CHOICES TO REBUILD ITS DISRUPTED ECONOMY
President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on countries that supply oil to Cuba in a move aimed at increasing economic pressure on the communist-run island. (Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Reuters added that the Cuban Aviation Corporation released a statement on Monday morning saying:
“We continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety, fluidity and order of the airspace, supporting air operations and ensure that aviation in Cuba maintains the levels of reliability that characterize us.”
Last month, Trump stepped up economic pressure on Cuba by declaring a national emergency through an executive order accusing the country’s communist regime of aligning itself with hostile foreign powers and terrorist groups while acting to punish countries that supply it with oil.
GET THE FOX BUSINESS ANYWHERE CLICK HERE
The Jan. 29 executive order, which described the Cuban government as “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States and is intended to protect American national security, has effectively crippled Cuba’s energy infrastructure by prompting major foreign partners, including Venezuela and Mexico, to halt shipments to the island.
“The United States has zero tolerance for the depredations of the Cuban communist regime,” Trump said in the order, adding that the administration will act to hold the regime accountable while supporting the aspirations of the Cuban people for a free and democratic society.
FOX Business reached out to the White House and American Airlines for more information.
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr and Reuters contributed to this report.
