Cuba Airports closed for one month?

[lb.cigars]

Some news is circulating about a warning of the closure of the country’s 9 airports due to a lack of jet fuel. Limitations with the landing aid/safety systems are making the situation worse.

 

[JohnnyO]

US planes by rule don't re-fuel in Cuba. So they always have enough to come back. That may apply to nearby islands/countries as well. The 319a and 737 used for the US routes have a long range distance of 3000+ miles. John

[avitus]

5 hours ago, JohnnyO said:

US planes by rule don't re-fuel in Cuba. So they always have enough to come back. That may apply to nearby islands/countries as well. The 319a and 737 used for the US routes have a long range distance of 3000+ miles. John

Are you sure about this? I heard it’s unsafe to land with a lot of fuel in the tanks, which is why airplanes dump fuel during an emergency landing to reduce their weight. And even if aiplanes don't have a dump system they just circle around. That's what I was told. 

[JohnnyO]

By rule, (I think it is the Helms-Burton act) US planes can't re-fuel in Cuba or take on any other supplies. FAA rule Part 91 covers most of that through orders from OFAC/Treasury Department int the US. Most of the Caribbean planes don't re-fuel. If you have a 3000+ mile range 1/2 tank should get you the 130 miles RT to Miami. Airplanes don't dump fuel in an emergency landing. They dump fuel when they are to crash-land, so they don't set everyone on fire. This lack of fuel affects mostly Canada and Europe or other long distance flights. 

[PirelliCndms]

Also, a 737 does not have a fuel dumping feature. In the event of a forced landing they will fly in circles to burn off fuel at low altitude before attempting a landing to reduce weight.

[avitus]

2 hours ago, JohnnyO said:

By rule, (I think it is the Helms-Burton act) US planes can't re-fuel in Cuba or take on any other supplies.

But, how do they pay other fees? I mean, there are many fees to pay, like landing fee, maintenance fee, terminal usage fee and many others. I'm pretty sure they do not operate for free (it's a communism but not for everyone, lol). And if you already paying for everything why you're not allowed to pay for fuel?

I asked Chatgpt (I know its not really reliable source of truth, but anyway) and here what I got: Historically, the U.S. has allowed licensed transactions related to civil aviation safety, including fuel for international flights, charters, and sometimes commercial service — depending on the administration and licensing regime.

[JohnnyO]

The fees are paid into an offshore account in the US. Fuel can only be administered to US planes only in an emergency. A big fine will likely follow, the quality can't be trusted. So why would you fuel in Cuba? The US planes are not buying fuel in Cuba because the US government doesn't want US travelers to support their system. I have sat countless hours in the waiting area in T2 and T3 and you get a chance to see who refuels and who doesn't. 

[MrBirdman]

2 hours ago, avitus said:

Are you sure about this? I heard it’s unsafe to land with a lot of fuel in the tanks, which is why airplanes dump fuel during an emergency landing to reduce their weight. And even if  aiplanes don't have a dump system they just circle around, that's what I was told. 

Theoretically there are probably planes that could make it to Cuba and back or to a refueling site without gassing up in Cuba. But it would be much more costly from a fuel standpoint and riskier from a safety perspective. It just doesn't make sense to continue flights somewhere there's no fuel available, especially if it means passenger and baggage weight restrictions. 

 

[JohnnyO]

WestJet and Air Canada said they are going down empty to pick up passengers and will not refuel in Cuba. Air France has stated they will continue flights and refuel in the Caribbean. John