Spanish carrier Iberia has extended the suspension of its flights to Cuba until June 30, 2027, as the island grapples with fuel shortages amid a US oil blockade, IntelliNews reported on August 20, citing French media.
Iberia had said in April it would suspend the route to Havana until at least November, citing supply difficulties and reduced demand on the island.
The island, home to 9.6mn people, is enduring a deep economic and energy crisis marked by high inflation, prolonged blackouts and persistent food and medicine shortages. Cuban authorities attribute the situation to the combined effects of tightened US sanctions, low domestic economic productivity and the collapse of tourism.
The airline offered no further explanation for the extension, stating only on its website that the temporary suspension of the Havana route had been prolonged. Other carriers, including Spain’s World2Fly, Air Canada and Air France, have taken similar measures. Aircraft flying the route have been forced to make technical refuelling stops on return journeys due to the situation in Cuba.
Cuba, which previously relied on Venezuelan oil, has faced a blockade from the administration of US President Donald Trump since the fall of Nicolás Maduro’s government in January, according to AFP.