Russian Airlines Rossiya and Nordwind Suspend Flights to Cuba Amid Fuel Crisis
The Russian carriers Rossiya and Nordwind Airlines have temporarily suspended their commercial flights to the island due to fuel shortages. This situation arises from a combination of geopolitical tensions and logistical constraints, resulting in an immediate impact on bilateral tourism.
The decision affects Rossiya Airlines, a subsidiary of the Aeroflot Group, and Nordwind Airlines, marking a turning point in the already diminished Russian presence in the Western Hemisphere.
Repatriation Operations and Immediate Suspensions
According to Rosaviatsiya, the Russian civil aviation authority, Rossiya will operate a limited series of flights with the exclusive goal of repatriating Russian tourists currently in Cuba. Following these operations, services will be fully suspended until the fuel supply situation improves.
For its part, Nordwind Airlines has also interrupted its routes to the island, citing increasing difficulties with refueling at the destination.
Cuban Government Warnings and Geopolitical Pressure
The crisis intensified after the Cuban government warned international airlines that it could not guarantee fuel supplies at its main airport over the coming month.
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This scenario follows tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump against any country supplying oil to Cuba, which has added significant pressure to the island’s energy supply chain. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday that the fuel supply situation in Cuba was reaching a “critical point,” though he avoided confirming whether Moscow plans to send petroleum products to the island.
Constant Monitoring and Search for Alternatives
Rosaviatsiya confirmed that it is closely monitoring the situation alongside the Russian Ministry of Transport. Both entities maintain permanent contact with Cuban aeronautical authorities.
The regulator indicated that Russia is evaluating alternative options to resume flights, although no concrete measures or estimated timelines have been detailed yet. From an operational standpoint, any solution will require:
- Guarantees of a stable fuel supply at the destination.
- Possible bilateral energy agreements.
- The evaluation of technical routes involving refueling stops, if viable.
For now, the suspension remains indefinite and depends exclusively on the normalization of supplies.
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