Air China Adds Extra Flight for Passengers Stranded in Fuel-Starved Cuba

China’s flag carrier scrambles to fly stranded passengers out of fuel-starved Cuba

Dozens of Air China passengers stranded in Cuba by successive cancellations were due to leave on an extra flight on Monday, as a US oil embargo deepens the island’s energy crisis.

The flight was arranged after disruptions affected one of Cuba’s last direct air links to Europe, the Chinese carrier’s twice-weekly service between Beijing and Havana via Madrid.

Air China added flight CA590 for travellers whose regular CA866 service had been cancelled before October 10, according to a notice issued by the Chinese embassy.

The embassy urged affected passengers to board the additional flight, which was due to leave at 10.30pm local time.

However, the embassy said seats were limited, leaving some passengers dependent on available space on the extra service.

Route disrupted by repeated cancellations

The embassy had warned on October 10 that flights on the route faced frequent schedule changes and temporary cancellations for “technical reasons”.

It did not provide further details about those reasons.

The route has been difficult to operate since February, when Cuban airports ran out of jet fuel.

The fuel shortage has affected Havana as well as other airports across the country.

Official notices have extended the shortage at 10 airports, including Havana, until November.

The disruption has therefore affected a route that provides one of Cuba’s remaining direct air connections with Europe.

Air China’s regular service links Beijing and Havana through Madrid and operates twice a week.

The additional CA590 flight was intended specifically for passengers affected by cancellations of the CA866 service before October 10.

The cancellations and schedule changes have left dozens of passengers waiting in Cuba for an alternative flight.

The wider disruption is unfolding as the island’s energy crisis is deepened by a US oil embargo.

Source: South China Morning Post