The Embassy of China in Cuba warned about frequent schedule changes and temporary cancellations on some Air China flights between Beijing and Havana, a route that stops in Madrid and currently represents one of the few direct connections between Spain and Cuba.
In an official notice published this Saturday, the diplomatic representation stated that, for "technical reasons", flights CA865, from Beijing to Havana, and CA866, in the opposite direction, have recently experienced schedule changes more frequently than usual.
“Due to technical reasons, the schedules for flights CA865 (Beijing-Havana) and CA866 (Havana-Beijing), operated by Air China, have recently changed frequently, and some flights have been temporarily canceled,” the statement noted.
The embassy advised passengers planning to use those connections to pay special attention to any modifications to their flights in order to avoid disruptions in their travels. The notice does not specify which flights have been canceled or how long the adjustments will remain in effect.
It does not attribute the cancellations to the current shortage of aviation fuel in Cuba either. The only officially mentioned cause is "technical reasons," so any direct connection with the Jet A-1 crisis has not been confirmed by Air China or by the Chinese diplomatic representation.
For passengers with tickets for flights CA865 or CA866, the recommendation from the Embassy of China is to check the status of the connection directly and to stay alert for any changes communicated by the airline before heading to the airport.
The impact is particularly significant for Cuban and Spanish travelers because Air China operates the Beijing-Madrid-Havana route, with a stop in the Spanish capital, and also sells tickets for the segment between Madrid and Havana.
The company started operating two weekly frequencies on that route, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a connection that has become especially relevant following the withdrawal or suspension of other airlines from the Cuban market.
From Madrid, Air Europa and Air China have become the main direct options to Havana following the suspensions of Iberia, World2Fly, and other companies that were operating connections between Spain and Cuba.
The notice from the Chinese embassy also comes amid a prolonged aviation fuel crisis on the island, which has forced numerous airlines to cancel flights, reduce frequencies, or implement technical stops outside of Cuba since February.
This Sunday, ten Cuban airports continue to have official notices regarding the unavailability of Jet A-1 fuel until November 1, including José Martí International Airport in Havana.
The notices do not mean that those airports are closed or that all their flights have been canceled; rather, it indicates that Jet A-1 fuel is not available to refuel aircraft at those facilities.
The lack of fuel has forced various companies to modify their operations. Air Europa, for example, continues flying between Madrid and Havana, but makes a technical stop outside of Cuba to refuel on the return journey.
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