Jun 5, 2026, 18:55

Canadian Flights to Cuba Stop

加拿大飛往古巴的航班停止

Introduction

Sunwing and AirTransat stop all flights to Cuba. They do not know when flights will start again.

Sunwing 與 AirTransat 停止所有飛往古巴的航班，目前尚不清楚何時會恢復。

Main Body

Cuba has no fuel for planes and trucks. The US stopped oil from going to Cuba. Now, Cuba has no electricity and not enough food.

古巴目前沒有飛機和卡車可用的燃料。美國阻止石油運往古巴。現在古巴面臨斷電且食物不足。

President Trump put sanctions on Cuba. He threatened to use the military. This made the economy very bad.

川普總統對古巴實施制裁，並威脅使用軍隊。這使得古巴經濟狀況惡化。

Sunwing says life is hard for people in Cuba. They give customers two choices. Customers can go to a different place or get their money back.

Sunwing 表示古巴人民的生活非常艱苦。他們給予顧客兩個選擇：可以改往其他目的地，或者要求退款。

Conclusion

Canadian planes will not fly to Cuba until the energy problem ends.

在能源問題解決之前，加拿大飛機將不會飛往古巴。

Vocabulary Learning

💡 THE "NOT" PATTERN

In this story, we see how to say something is not happening. This is the most important tool for A2 students to describe problems.

How it works: Put do not or will not before the action word.

The planes $\rightarrow$ do not $\rightarrow$ fly.
They $\rightarrow$ do not $\rightarrow$ know.
Planes $\rightarrow$ will not $\rightarrow$ fly (Future/Prediction).

📦 QUICK VOCABULARY

Money & Business words from the text:

Money back $\rightarrow$ You get your cash again.
Economy $\rightarrow$ How a country makes and spends money.
Sanctions $\rightarrow$ Rules to stop trade with a country.

🚩 CAUSE & EFFECT

The article uses simple logic to show why things happen:

NO FUEL $\rightarrow$ NO PLANES $\rightarrow$ NO FLIGHTS

Vocabulary Learning

fuel (n.)

Material like gas or oil used to make machines or planes move

Example:The car stopped because it had no more fuel.

electricity (n.)

The power that makes lights and computers work

Example:There is no electricity in the house during the storm.

sanctions (n.)

Official rules that stop trade between countries to punish them

Example:The government put sanctions on the country to stop the war.

threatened (v.)

Said that you will hurt or punish someone if they do not change

Example:The boss threatened to fire the worker.

military (n.)

The armed forces of a country, such as the army

Example:He joined the military to serve his country.

economy (n.)

The system of money, trade, and industry in a country

Example:The country's economy is growing quickly.

Canadian Airlines Stop Flights to Cuba Due to Severe Energy Shortages

古巴能源嚴重短缺，加拿大航空公司停止飛往古巴的航班

Introduction

Sunwing Vacations Group and AirTransat have stopped all flight operations to Cuba for an indefinite period after previously experiencing temporary service interruptions.

Sunwing Vacations Group 與 AirTransat 在先前經歷暫時性服務中斷後，已無限期停止所有飛往古巴的航班運作。

Main Body

The decision by Sunwing Vacations Group—which includes Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec—is a significant increase from their previous temporary suspension. Similarly, AirTransat has confirmed that it will not resume its services until at least the end of October.

Sunwing Vacations Group（包括 Sunwing Vacations、WestJet Vacations 及 WestJet Vacations Québec）的決定，較其之前的暫時停飛程度更深。同樣地，AirTransat 亦已確認，至少在十月底之前不會恢復服務。

These disruptions are caused by a critical lack of aviation fuel and diesel in Cuba. This shortage is linked to an energy blockade imposed by the U.S. and the stop of oil shipments from Venezuela. Consequently, the Cuban energy ministry reported that oil reserves are completely empty, which has led to widespread power outages and food shortages.

這些混亂是由於古巴嚴重缺乏航空燃油和柴油所引起。此短缺與美國實施的能源封鎖以及委內瑞拉停止運油有關。因此，古巴能源部報告稱石油儲量已完全耗盡，導致 widespread 停電和糧食短缺。

Furthermore, the situation has worsened because the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other officials. This political pressure, along with threats of military action, has contributed to a general economic collapse. Although Sunwing Vacations Group did not explicitly state that the fuel crisis was the main reason for the suspension, the company acknowledged the difficulties facing local communities. To help customers, the group is offering affected passengers the choice of changing their destination or receiving a full refund.

此外，由於川普政府對古巴總統米格爾·迪亞斯-卡內爾（Miguel Díaz-Canel）及其他官員實施制裁，情況進一步惡化。這些政治壓力加上軍事行動的威脅，導致整體經濟崩潰。雖然 Sunwing Vacations Group 並未明確表示燃料危機是停飛的主因，但公司承認當地社區面臨困難。為了協助客戶，該集團為受影響的乘客提供更改目的地或全額退款的選擇。

Conclusion

Canadian airlines will remain absent from the Cuban market until there is more stability regarding the island's energy situation.

在該島的能源情況趨於穩定之前，加拿大航空公司將繼續不在古巴市場運營。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The 'Cause-and-Effect' Bridge

At the A2 level, you likely use "because" for everything. To move toward B2, you need to show logical variety. This article provides a goldmine of how professional writers connect an event to its result without sounding repetitive.

🛠️ The Logic Toolset

Look at these three different ways the text explains why things are happening:

The Direct Link: "These disruptions are caused by a critical lack of aviation fuel..."
- B2 Tip: Instead of saying "The problem is because...", use "is caused by". It shifts the focus to the source of the problem.
The Natural Result: "Consequently, the Cuban energy ministry reported..."
- B2 Tip: "Consequently" is a high-level replacement for "so". Use it at the start of a sentence to signal that a serious result is coming.
The Contributing Factor: "...has contributed to a general economic collapse."
- B2 Tip: In real life, one thing rarely causes everything. Use "contributed to" when there are many reasons for a problem, not just one.

💡 Quick-Switch Guide

Try replacing your simple A2 words with these B2 alternatives from the text:

A2 (Simple)	B2 (Professional)	Context from Article
So	Consequently	Fuel shortages $\rightarrow$ power outages
Because of	Linked to	Shortage $\rightarrow$ energy blockade
Help	Offer the choice of	Airline $\rightarrow$ refund/change

⚠️ Pro Note: "Due to" vs "Because"

Notice the title: "Flights to Cuba Due to Severe Energy Shortages".

The Trick: Use "Due to" followed by a noun (Energy Shortages). Use "Because" followed by a full sentence (Because there are energy shortages). Mastering this distinction is a hallmark of B2 fluency.

Vocabulary Learning

indefinite (adj.)

Lasting for an unknown or unstated length of time.

Example:The project has been put on hold for an indefinite period.

suspension (n.)

The temporary prevention of something from continuing or being used.

Example:The athlete faced a six-month suspension after failing the drug test.

disruption (n.)

An interruption of a process or activity that prevents it from continuing normally.

Example:The heavy snowfall caused a major disruption to train services.

blockade (n.)

The act of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving.

Example:The naval blockade prevented the city from receiving essential supplies.

consequently (adv.)

As a result of something that happened before.

Example:He failed to study for the exam; consequently, he did not pass.

sanctions (n.)

Official orders or laws that restrict trade or commercial intercourse with a particular country.

Example:The international community imposed economic sanctions to pressure the regime.

explicitly (adv.)

In a clear and detailed manner, leaving no room for confusion.

Example:The teacher explicitly told the students not to use their phones during the test.

acknowledged (v.)

Accepted or admitted that something is true or exists.

Example:The company acknowledged that there were errors in the final report.

stability (n.)

The state of being stable, steady, or not likely to change or fail.

Example:Political stability is essential for the growth of a country's economy.

Indefinite Suspension of Canadian Aviation Services to Cuba Amidst Systemic Energy Deficits.

古巴系統性能源短缺，導致加拿大航空服務無限期暫停

Introduction

Sunwing Vacations Group and AirTransat have ceased flight operations to Cuba indefinitely following a period of temporary service interruptions.

Sunwing Vacations Group 與 AirTransat 在經歷一段時間的暫時性服務中斷後，已無限期停止飛往古巴的航班。

Main Body

The cessation of operations by Sunwing Vacations Group—comprising Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec—represents an escalation from a previous temporary suspension scheduled from June 20 to October 9. This institutional withdrawal is mirrored by AirTransat, which has maintained the suspension of its services through the end of October.

Sunwing Vacations Group（包括 Sunwing Vacations、WestJet Vacations 及 WestJet Vacations Québec）停止營運，代表將先前原定 6 月 20 日至 10 月 9 日的暫時性暫停升級。AirTransat 亦採取相同行動，維持暫停服務直到 10 月底。

These operational disruptions are predicated upon a critical depletion of aviation fuel and diesel within the Cuban state. The scarcity of these resources is attributed to a U.S.-mandated energy blockade and the subsequent cessation of oil shipments following the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power. Consequently, the Cuban energy ministry has reported a total exhaustion of oil and diesel reserves, precipitating widespread electrical failures and food insecurity.

這些營運中斷是基於古巴國家航空燃料與柴油的嚴重短缺。資源稀缺歸因於美國強制執行的能源封鎖，以及在委內瑞拉總統馬杜羅（Nicolás Maduro）被免職後，石油運輸隨之停止。因此，古巴能源部報告石油與柴油儲備已完全耗盡，導致大規模停電與糧食不安全。

Furthermore, the geopolitical environment has been exacerbated by the Trump administration's imposition of sanctions against Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and associated individuals. This strategic pressure, coupled with threats of military intervention, has contributed to a broader economic collapse. While Sunwing Vacations Group did not explicitly cite the fuel crisis as the primary catalyst for its indefinite suspension, the organization acknowledged the hardships currently experienced by local communities and industry partners. To mitigate consumer impact, the group has offered affected clients the choice between destination reallocation or full financial restitution.

此外，川普政府對古巴總統迪亞斯-卡內爾（Miguel Díaz-Canel）及相關人士實施制裁，加劇了地緣政治環境。這種戰略壓力加上軍事干預的威脅，促成了更廣泛的經濟崩潰。雖然 Sunwing Vacations Group 並未明確將燃料危機列為無限期暫停的主要催化劑，但該機構承認當地社區與行業合作夥伴目前正承受困境。為了減輕對消費者的影響，該集團為受影響的客戶提供重新分配目的地或全額退款的選擇。

Conclusion

Canadian aviation providers remain absent from the Cuban market pending further developments regarding the island's energy stability.

在古巴能源穩定情況有進一步發展之前，加拿大航空供應商將繼續不在古巴市場運營。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Nominalization and 'Abstract Density'

To move from B2 (where communication is clear and functional) to C2 (where communication is authoritative and precise), a student must master Nominalization. This is the process of turning verbs or adjectives into nouns to create a dense, academic 'weight' that distances the author from the subject, shifting the focus from who is acting to what is happening.

⚡ The C2 Pivot: From Action to Entity

Observe how the text eschews simple cause-and-effect verbs in favor of complex noun phrases. This is the hallmark of high-level diplomatic and corporate reporting.

B2 Approach: "The companies stopped flying to Cuba because there wasn't enough fuel." (Active, linear, simple).
C2 Approach: "The cessation of operations... [is] predicated upon a critical depletion of aviation fuel." (Abstract, layered, authoritative).

🔍 Linguistic Deconstruction

1. The 'Predicated Upon' Pivot Instead of using because or due to, the text uses predicated upon. This does not merely indicate cause; it suggests a logical or formal foundation. It transforms a reason into a premise.

2. Lexical Density via Nominal Chains Consider the phrase: "institutional withdrawal is mirrored by..."

Withdrawal (Noun) replaces to withdraw (Verb).
Mirrored (Passive participle) replaces they both did the same thing.

By transforming the action into an "institutional withdrawal," the text strips away the human element and treats the corporate decision as a standalone phenomenon. This creates a professional distance known as objective detachment.

🛠 Mastering the 'C2 Shift'

To achieve this level of sophistication, replace dynamic verbs with their nominal equivalents and pair them with high-utility academic verbs:

B2 Dynamic Verb	C2 Nominal Form	C2 Collocation
To exhaust	Exhaustion	Precipitating widespread failures
To suspend	Suspension	Representing an escalation
To reallocate	Reallocation	To mitigate consumer impact

The C2 Secret: Don't just describe the event; name the event as a concept. Do not say "The fuel ran out, so the planes stopped"; say "The depletion of reserves precipitated the cessation of services."

Vocabulary Learning

cessation (n.)

The process of ending or being brought to an end.

Example:The cessation of hostilities was welcomed by both nations after years of conflict.

predicated (v.)

Found or based on a specific foundation, condition, or set of assumptions.

Example:The company's growth strategy is predicated on the assumption that market demand will remain stable.

precipitating (v.)

Causing an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable, to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.

Example:The sudden increase in interest rates ended up precipitating a nationwide financial crisis.

exacerbated (v.)

Made a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.

Example:The lack of rain exacerbated the existing drought, leading to widespread crop failure.

catalyst (n.)

A person or thing that precipitates an event or a change.

Example:The new policy served as a catalyst for significant social reform across the country.

mitigate (v.)

To make something bad less severe, serious, or painful.

Example:The government implemented new drainage systems to mitigate the effects of seasonal flooding.

restitution (n.)

The restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner, or repayment for injury or loss.

Example:The court ordered the defendant to make full financial restitution to the victims of the fraud.

Practice All words in a crossword→