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The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) authorized Flair Airlines to operate regular international flights to Cuba, according to a decision published on April 8 on the agency's website.
In its resolution, cited by Pax News, the CTA stated that "it is pleased that Flair meets all applicable requirements to operate the flights," although the license is subject to the conditions set forth in the Canadian Air Transportation Regulations.
The decision did not include specific launch dates or flight schedules, so it is still unknown when the routes will begin operating.
Flair Airlines is a low-cost airline based in Edmonton, Alberta, operating a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, and has expanded its routes to the Caribbean in recent years, with destinations such as the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
The authorization comes amidst an unprecedented air crisis for Cuba, triggered by the disruption of Venezuelan oil supplies— which accounted for two-thirds of Cuba's imports— and the halt of shipments from Pemex in the context of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
Since February 10, Cuban airports have been without commercially available Jet A-1 aviation fuel, which forced major Canadian airlines to suspend their operations and repatriate nearly 27,900 tourists.
The impact on tourism has been devastating: Cuba registered 112,000 fewer visitors in January and February 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, with hotel occupancy dropping to 18.9%.
The landscape of resumptions among Canadian airlines is varied.
Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacances Quebec, operating through WestJet, plan to resume flights on June 20 with packages to Varadero and Cayo Coco from Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec.
Air Transat also announced in a memorandum to travel advisors that it will postpone its return to Cuba until at least June 20.
Air Canada has gone further and postponed the resumption of its flights until November 1, 2026, citing "persistent operational issues, such as power outages and the closure of hotels on the island."
The government of the northern country maintains its travel alert for Cuba at orange level, advising against non-essential travel to the country.
In this context of uncertainty, the approval for Flair Airlines represents a sign of interest in the Cuban market, although there are no specific dates for the start of operations that would allow us to anticipate when the new route will materialize.
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