Cuba’s travel difficulties deepened before the weekend, with the Foreign Office reporting that aviation fuel

Supplies had run dry across all of the island’s nine international airports.

The latest travel advisory came on Friday night, just 48 hours after an official warning against all but essential travel to the Caribbean island nation amid a growing fuel crisis.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said, "Cuban authorities have announced that all nine of its international airports are without aviation fuel at this time.

“Some airlines are reviewing routes or temporarily cancelling services, which risk visitors being unable to

leave the country, although other operators are continuing their services through using refuelling

stops.”

While there are no direct flights between the UK and Cuba, the island is served by a handful of specialist tour operators using airlines flying via third countries.

The latest update issued by Intrepid Travel last Thursday reiterated its previous stance that trips in Cuba are continuing to operate as normal.

“Although the country is experiencing a significant fuel shortage, fuel distribution has been prioritised for

strategic sectors such as tourism to sustain essential economic activity,” the operator said.

As a result, tourism-related services remain operational, even while some parts of the country face

extended power outages and broader limitations.

Local communities continue to welcome visitors, as tourism provides important income for families and

small businesses. "Travellers do not contribute to the current challenges—in fact, your visit supports local livelihoods during a difficult period."

“We are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates if anything changes.” But Ambassador Cruise Line abandoned a planned call into Havana today (Monday).

The line disclosed that the ship Ambience would no longer proceed with its scheduled call to the Cuban

capital during a 40-night ‘Jewels of the Caribbean Sea’ itinerary.

“This follows updated guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which on Wednesday, 11 February, issued an advisory against all but essential travel to the Caribbean island nation,” the line posted on Facebook. 

"The safety and well-being of our guests and crew is always our primary consideration. We have informed guests on board that we have scheduled two additional calls this weekend, excluding Cuba, in response to the revised guidance."

Ambience will now call at Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, on Saturday 14 February and Basseterre, St Kitts, on

Sunday, 15 February. The rest of the schedule will continue as planned.

Ambassador Cruise Line apologises for any disappointment or inconvenience that this change may

cause and would like to thank guests and crew for their understanding.

Source: travel weekly