Air Canada Suspends Cuba Flights Amid Jet Fuel Shortage
Air Canada has suspended all service to Cuba, effective Monday, February 9, 2026, due to an ongoing shortage of aviation fuel on the island. The airline will operate empty flights southbound in the coming days to pick up approximately 3,000 customers currently in Cuba and return them home, according to a statement released by the company.
The decision follows advisories issued by governments, known as NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), regarding the unreliability of the aviation fuel supply at Cuban airports. A NOTAM issued Sunday warned that “Jet A1 fuel not available” at Havana’s José Martí International Airport, effective Tuesday, February 10, 2026, and running until March 11, 2026.
Air Canada announced that seasonal flights to Holguín and Santa Clara have been cancelled for the remainder of the season. Flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco, which are scheduled to operate year-round, are currently suspended with a tentative restart date pending review on May 1, 2026.
Cuba has historically relied on Venezuela for its jet fuel supply, but has not received any crude or refined products from its top ally since mid-December, coinciding with U.S. Efforts to block Venezuelan exports. The fuel shortage is occurring amid a worsening energy crisis on the island, exacerbated by a U.S. Blockade of oil.
While Air Canada has suspended flights, other airlines are taking different approaches. WestJet and Air Transat both stated their intention to continue flights as planned, despite the fuel announcement. WestJet cited a “power outage” as the reason for its advisory for flights to and from Cuba from February 9th to February 26th, 2026. WestJet, which also owns Sunwing, emphasized its commitment to the safety of its guests, noting that its flights arrive in Cuba with sufficient fuel to safely depart.
Air Canada stated that for remaining flights, it will “tanker in extra fuel and make a technical stops as necessary to refuel on the return journey if necessary.”
Several resorts in Cuba have temporarily closed due to low occupancy rates, including Tryp Cayo Coco and Sol Cayo Santa Maria, according to their booking websites. Air Transat is allowing affected customers to change the date, hotel, or destination of their trip without penalty.
The Cuban Aviation Corporation released a statement Monday acknowledging the situation but did not mention the fuel shortage or flight cancellations. It affirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of aviation operations in Cuba.
Customers affected by the cancellations are being offered full refunds by Air Canada. Kim Darby of Burlington, Ontario, had his flight to Cayo Santa Maria cancelled and has rebooked for a trip to Negril, Jamaica, paying the difference in cost. He expressed a sentiment that resources should be prioritized for the Cuban people during the shortage.
Tamanisha John, an assistant politics professor at York University who studies Caribbean development, suggested the U.S. Is attempting to isolate Cuba through the fuel shortage, but also noted Cuba’s efficiency in rationing and utilizing available resources. She believes Canadians should not necessarily avoid travelling to Cuba, as the government may prioritize keeping tourist facilities operational.
Air France is reportedly making refueling stops in the Caribbean, specifically at Santo Domingo Airport in the Dominican Republic, as part of its Madrid–Havana–Madrid route.
