Many Canadian airlines suspend flights to Cuba amid fuel shortage warnings

WestJet, Air Transat and Air Canada have halted passenger flights to Cuba and said they will send empty aircraft to bring customers home, after Cuba warned it will run out of jet fuel amid a U.S. oil blockade; Cirium reported 605 planned flights with about 116,000 February seats before cancellations.

Canadian carriers WestJet, Air Transat and Air Canada announced this week that they are suspending passenger flights to Cuba. Cuba has warned it will run out of jet fuel amid what it described as a U.S. oil blockade. The airlines said they have stopped carrying passengers south and plan to send empty planes to bring home customers in the coming days. Before the cancellations, carriers were scheduled to operate 605 flights with about 116,000 seats to Cuban destinations in February, Cirium reported. Known details: - WestJet, Air Transat and Air Canada announced suspension of passenger flights to Cuba. - Cuba warned it will run out of jet fuel and cited a U.S. oil blockade. - The airlines said they have stopped taking passengers south and will send empty planes to repatriate customers. - Cirium data showed 605 flights and about 116,000 seats to Cuban destinations had been scheduled for February before cancellations. - The Globe has asked readers whether their travel plans were affected by the suspensions. Summary: Canadian carriers have paused passenger service to Cuba after Cuba warned of a looming jet fuel shortage. Airlines say they will use empty flights to bring Canadians home. The wider status of travel to Cuba and any further schedule changes are undetermined at this time.