Air Canada suspends flights to Cuba due to fuel shortage

Over the following days, Canada" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="11018" data-entity-type="organization">Air Canada will operate empty flights to pick up approximately 3,000 customers already in Cuba.Published On 9 Feb 2026Air Canada has said it is suspending service to Cuba due to an ongoing aviation fuel shortage on the island.“Canada" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="11018" data-entity-type="organization">Air Canada took the decision following advisories issued by governments about the unreliability of aviation fuel supply at Cuban airports,” the airline said in a press release on Monday.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2Mexico promises food support for Cuba as US stifles the island’s fuel supplylist 2 of 2From blackouts to food shortages: How US blockade is crippling life in Cubaend of list“It is projected that, as of February 10, aviation fuel will not be commercially available at airports on the island. For remaining flights, Canada" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="11018" data-entity-type="organization">Air Canada will tanker additional fuel and make technical stops, if necessary, to refuel on the return journey.”The airline said its immediate priority is to return customers already in Cuba to Canada.“Over the following days, the airline will operate empty flights southbound to pick up approximately 3,000 customers already at destination and return them home,” Canada" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="11018" data-entity-type="organization">Air Canada said.The carrier currently operates an average of 16 weekly flights to four destinations in Cuba.Seasonal flights to Holguin and Santa Clara have been cancelled, while flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco are scheduled to operate year-round, with a tentative restart date of May 1.In an official NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions), Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport said on Sunday that “Jet A1 fuel will not be available” starting Tuesday at 5am (10:00 GMT), with the warning in effect until March 11.The measure is expected to affect nine international airports, including Havana, Varadero, Santa Clara, Holguin, Cuba" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="27808" data-entity-type="location">Santiago de Cuba, and Cayo Coco, by preventing aircraft from refuelling on site.