Cuba’s worsening fuel crisis has prompted major Canadian airlines to suspend flights to the island nation – a popular destination for Canadian travellers.

Over the next few days Air Canada will fly empty aircraft to Cuba to pick up some 3,000 customers already there, and bring them back home.

WestJet, which operates flights under the Sunwing Vacations banner, is also suspending flights to Cuba. Air Transat is following suit.

The carriers are acting on projections that there would be no more aviation fuel commercially available on the island as of today.

Air Canada is bringing in extra fuel by tanker and will make refueling stops as necessary.

Julia Kent of CAA Atlantic says the situation in Cuba is changing rapidly.

“It’s escalated to the point of just being quasi-concerned and aware if you’re travelling to Cuba, to maybe rethinking your plans entirely at this time.”

Kent suggests that anyone who already has a Cuban vacation booked, to check with their point of purchase for further instructions.