Why are Rossiya and Nordwind suspending all flights to Cuba?

Ujjwal Sukhwani
By Ujjwal SukhwaniPublished Feb 12, 2026 at 02:03 AM UTC, 2 min read

Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.

Why are Rossiya and Nordwind suspending all flights to Cuba?

Rosaviatsia suspended Russian flights to Cuba due to a severe jet fuel shortage; airlines like Rossiya are now running rescue trips for 4,000 tourists.

Key Takeaways

  • Rosaviatsia suspends all Russian flights to Cuba due to critical jet fuel shortages.
  • Rossiya Airlines and Nordwind are operating special return-only trips to repatriate 4,000 tourists.
  • Air Canada has halted service until March 11, while Spanish carriers monitor refueling options.
  • The Kremlin is in active talks with Cuban authorities to address the energy crisis.

Russian airlines are stopping Cuba flights. Rosaviatsia announced the news on Wednesday. A major fuel shortage caused this.

The suspension will be temporary. Airlines must ensure passenger safety first. Fuel supplies have become very low.

Rescue Flights Begin

Rossiya Airlines will fly rescue trips. These flights will leave from Havana. They will also leave from Varadero.

The goal is to bring tourists home. About 4,000 Russians are currently there. Nordwind is also changing its schedule.

Pegas Touristik stopped all new sales. Tourists will return in an organized way. The airline program will pause soon.

Global Airline Response

Air Canada also suspended its service. They will not return until March. Empty planes will fly to Cuba.

These planes will repatriate 3,000 clients. Spanish carriers are watching the crisis. Iberia might add extra refueling stops.

Air Europa is offering ticket changes. The IATA tracks these global disruptions. Aviation fuel is hard to find.

Critical Fuel Shortage

The fuel crisis is very critical. The Kremlin is talking to Cuba. They want to solve the problem.

U.S. pressure is causing many issues. This affects transport and aviation alike. Moscow seeks ways to help Cuba.

Russia is Cuba's second-largest visitor source. Last year, 131,000 Russians visited Cuba. The island needs stable fuel supplies.

Local Impact and Risks

Domestic transport is also failing now. Some beach resorts have already closed. Schools are telling staff to stay home.

Public transport has been reduced significantly. The aviation industry faces big risks. Conditions must improve before flights resume.

Havana and Varadero are main hubs. Fuel shortages hit these airports hard. Ground operations face many daily delays.

Airlines cannot refuel their large planes. Long-haul flights require a lot of fuel. Without fuel, planes cannot take off.

This crisis hurts the local economy. Travelers are canceling their future trips. The situation remains very fluid now.

Access up-to-date commercial aviation news and airline industry developments via flying.flights. From aircraft production to supply chains, commercial aviation manufacturing news is covered at flying.flights/manufacturing.

Ujjwal Sukhwani

Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani

Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.

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