Cuba tells airlines they can no longer refuel, amid US blockage on island nation's oil imports
Jet fuel will not be available at nine airports across the island starting Tuesday and continuing until March 11
Cuban officials are telling airlines that starting Tuesday their jets will no longer be able to refuel on the island nation – a result of energy rationing brought on by the Trump administration cutting off oil imports.
The rationing will continue through March 11, according to the Associated Press.
The Cuban government published the notices to airlines and pilots on Sunday night, warning that jet fuel will not be available at nine airports across the island, including José Martí International Airport in Havana, starting Tuesday and continuing until March 11.
Last month, President Trump signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba.
Shorter regional flights may not be disrupted by the fuel rationing, but longer flights from countries like Russia and Canada would be challenging.
Air Canada announced on Monday that it was suspending flights to Cuba, while other airlines announced delays and layovers in the Dominican Republic before flights continued to Havana.
On Monday, Cuban officials also announced that bank hours have been shortened and cultural events suspended. The public bus system in Havana has effectively stopped, with residents stranded amid power outages and fuel lines.