Shchetinin explained, “First and foremost, this depends on the serious situation currently observed in Cuba. Resuming flights is on the agenda. Still, it is undoubtedly a matter that requires ensuring a whole series of necessary conditions which, we hope, will be resolved as the situation evolves.”

On January 29, US President Donald Trump signed an order imposing tariffs on imports from countries supplying oil to Cuba, and also declared a state of emergency citing an alleged security threat posed by the island.

The measure has further exacerbated fuel shortages in Cuba, affecting transportation, food production, healthcare, and education.

The Caribbean nation’s National Statistics and Information Bureau (ONEI) reported that Cuba received just 298,057 international visitors between January and late March, a 48 percent drop compared to the same period the previous year.

The lack of fuel to supply aircraft led to the suspension of direct flights from countries such as Canada and Russia, two of the island’s leading tourist markets.

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