Canadian Airlines Suspend Cuba Flights Amid Jet Fuel Shortage

Multiple international airlines, primarily from Canada, have abruptly suspended flights to Cuba following a severe jet fuel shortage that has crippled airport operations across the island. Cuban aviation authorities issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) advising that Jet A-1 fuel would be unavailable from Feb. 10 through at least March 11, 2026, forcing carriers to cancel services and launch repatriation efforts for thousands of stranded tourists.

The flight cancellations represent a significant blow to Cuba's tourism-dependent economy and highlight a deepening energy crisis on the island. Beyond the immediate lack of aviation fuel, widespread and lengthy electricity blackouts are affecting ground handling and airport services, making normal turnarounds unreliable. For airlines, the disruption has forced a costly and logistically complex wind-down of popular winter sun routes, impacting seasonal revenue and leaving customers scrambling for alternative arrangements.

Canadian Carriers Halt All Services

The impact has been most acute for Canadian airlines, which represent a major source of tourism for Cuba. Air Canada suspended all flights to the country effective Feb. 9, 2026. The airline immediately began organizing repatriation flights to bring home approximately 3,000 customers who were in Cuba at the time of the announcement.

WestJet initiated what it described as an "orderly wind down" of its winter operations. The carrier sent empty aircraft to Cuba's affected airports, including those in Varadero and Cayo Coco, to retrieve vacationing guests.

Air Transat announced a more prolonged suspension, halting all flights to Cuba through April 30, 2026. According to TD Cowen analyst Tim James, the decision is material for the airline, as Cuba represents between 10% and 15% of Air Transat's total winter capacity. The carrier is also arranging return travel for all affected customers.

Operational Impacts and US Carrier Response

The fuel shortage affects all of Cuba's major international airports, including Havana, Varadero, Santa Clara, Holguin, and Cayo Coco. While some European and Canadian carriers initially explored making technical stops in third countries like the Dominican Republic for refueling, the logistical challenges led most to opt for full suspension.

U.S.-based carriers have been less affected due to their geographical proximity. Airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, which operate shorter routes primarily from Florida, have been able to continue service by utilizing a practice known as fuel tankering. This involves loading enough jet fuel in the U.S. for the entire round trip, thereby avoiding the need to refuel on Cuban soil. An American jet trader noted to FOX Business, "It should be easy and cheap for airlines coming out of Miami or Orlando to tanker jet in."

A Deeper Energy Crisis

The aviation fuel shortage is a symptom of a much broader and more severe energy crisis gripping Cuba. The island nation produces only about one-third of the energy it consumes, leaving it heavily reliant on imports that have become increasingly scarce. According to a report from Cuba's electrical union in early February 2026, the country's generation capacity was projected to cover less than half of peak demand, leading to prolonged blackouts nationwide.

This crisis is exacerbated by international factors. A U.S. Executive Order threatening tariffs on countries that provide oil to Cuba has reportedly disrupted fuel shipments from key suppliers like Mexico and Venezuela. A White House official suggested to FOX Business that Cuban leaders should seek a deal with the U.S. to alleviate the economic strain caused by these oil restrictions.

Broader Context

While the current mass cancellations are tied directly to the fuel crisis, some airlines had already been adjusting their Cuba schedules. United Airlines had previously filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to suspend its Houston-Havana service from September 2025, citing seasonal demand and ongoing U.S. travel restrictions that have dampened passenger numbers. The current crisis, however, is operational rather than demand-driven and has had a far more immediate and widespread effect. Further details on the Canadian airline response have been compiled by CBC News.

Why This Matters

This widespread suspension of flights deals a severe blow to Cuba's vital tourism sector, a primary source of hard currency. It starkly illustrates the island's economic vulnerability and the direct impact of its energy infrastructure failures on international commerce. For the aviation industry, the event serves as a case study in operational risk, demonstrating how geopolitical pressures and domestic energy instability in a destination country can force immediate and costly network adjustments for major international carriers.

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