Airlines Are Suspending Flights to Cuba Amid the Worsening Fuel Crisis

The roots of the current fuel crisis can be traced directly to intensified U.S. sanctions targeting Venezuela’s oil shipments to Cuba. For decades, Venezuela has served as Cuba’s primary energy supplier, providing subsidized crude oil in exchange for Cuban medical services and other expertise. This arrangement became particularly crucial after the collapse of the Soviet Union, which had previously propped up the Cuban economy. However, as Venezuela itself plunged into its own profound economic and political crisis, exacerbated by U.S. sanctions, its capacity to supply Cuba steadily diminished. The U.S. authorities’ institution of a blockade specifically aimed at disrupting these remaining oil shipments has effectively choked off a significant portion of Cuba’s supply, pushing the island to the brink of an energy catastrophe. The situation reached a critical point on February 9, when Cuban aviation officials publicly announced that the nation was rapidly running out of jet fuel, sending immediate shockwaves through the global travel industry.

This critical shortage means that airlines can no longer reliably refuel their aircraft in Cuba, forcing carriers to make difficult operational decisions. Canadian airlines, historically major players in the Cuban tourism market, were among the first to feel the brunt of this impact. Air Canada, a long-standing carrier with extensive routes to the island, and Air Transat, a popular leisure airline, have both announced temporary halts to their Cuba services. Their suspensions are slated to last until at least May 1, 2026, a timeframe that underscores the severity and anticipated longevity of the crisis. WestJet, another prominent Canadian airline, has also suspended its Cuba-bound operations, though it has not yet provided a resumption date, indicating the high degree of uncertainty surrounding the situation. These suspensions represent a significant blow to Cuba’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on Canadian visitors, particularly during the peak winter travel season.

In a commendable effort to mitigate the inconvenience for affected passengers, all three Canadian airlines are issuing automatic refunds to travelers whose flights have been canceled. Furthermore, for customers who were already in Cuba when the crisis escalated, the carriers swiftly arranged special repatriation flights to ensure their safe return home. The last of these dedicated return journeys departed on February 18, bringing an end to the immediate scramble to bring stranded tourists back to Canada. The operational challenges and financial costs associated with these mass cancellations and repatriation efforts are substantial, reflecting the unpredictable nature of international travel in politically sensitive regions.

Which Airlines Are Still Operating Flights to Cuba?

Despite the widespread disruptions, a segment of the international aviation community continues to operate flights to Cuba, albeit with significant logistical adjustments. Notably, U.S. airlines, including major carriers like American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, are largely maintaining their regular flight schedules to Havana and other Cuban destinations. The primary reason for this continued operation lies in the geographical proximity of Cuba to the U.S., particularly to hubs in Florida. The relatively short flight distance allows these airlines to employ a strategy known as "tankering."

Tankering involves carrying extra fuel on the outbound journey from the U.S. to Cuba, sufficient not only for the flight to the island but also for the return leg, or at least enough to reach an alternative refueling point outside of Cuba. This practice, while adding weight and slightly increasing fuel consumption, bypasses the need to refuel in Cuba entirely. A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines confirmed this operational adjustment, stating, "Due to the current status of aviation fuel in Cuba, Southwest Airlines is requiring aircraft that fly to Havana to carry enough fuel to also fly to their next destination." The spokesperson further emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety, underscoring that "Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees." This proactive measure ensures the continuity of service while prioritizing passenger and crew safety in the face of the fuel deficit.

Beyond U.S. carriers, other international airlines are also finding ways to adapt. Aeromexico, the Mexico City-based flag carrier, continues its flights to Cuba, similarly benefiting from the relatively short distance between Mexico and Cuba, which may allow for less reliance on Cuban refueling infrastructure or the feasibility of tankering. Spanish airline Iberia, operating its long-haul Madrid-to-Havana route, has adopted a different, more complex strategy: adding a refueling stop in the Dominican Republic. This unscheduled technical stop allows Iberia aircraft to replenish their fuel tanks before or after reaching Cuba, ensuring the viability of the long-distance journey. Recognizing the potential impact on passengers, Iberia also issued a travel waiver, offering flexibility for passengers to delay their travel dates through the end of March at no extra charge, a move designed to accommodate those who might wish to postpone their trips due to the unfolding crisis.

Is It Safe to Travel to Cuba Right Now?

The immediate concerns extending beyond aviation fuel shortages paint a broader picture of instability across Cuba. The U.S. oil blockade has not only crippled jet fuel availability but has also led to widespread shortages of gasoline for ground transportation and frequent, prolonged power outages across the island. This ripple effect impacts essential infrastructure, creating significant challenges for daily life and for visitors. In many parts of the country, basic services are not stable, prompting several nations to reconsider their travel advisories for Cuba.

Both Canada and the United Kingdom have significantly elevated their travel warnings, urging their citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Cuba. An alert from the Canadian government, last updated on February 19, explicitly states, "Avoid non-essential travel to Cuba due to worsening shortages of fuel, electricity, and basic necessities including food, water, and medicine." The advisory further cautions that "These shortages can also affect services at resorts. Fuel availability has decreased, is difficult to predict, and may disrupt ground transportation." Critically, it notes that even if some flights are still available, "airlift could become limited on short notice," and travelers "should consider leaving while options remain available." This stark warning highlights the potential for tourists to become stranded or to face severe difficulties accessing necessary services.

Similarly, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued a travel warning on February 19, emphasizing that power outages in Cuba might "significantly affect the ability of visitors to access reliable transport, medical care, communications, and basic services." The FCDO’s advice to its citizens already in Cuba is equally serious: "If you are currently in Cuba, carefully consider if your presence is essential. Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption." These advisories reflect a growing concern among Western governments about the ability of Cuba to provide a safe and stable environment for international visitors under the current conditions.

The U.S. Embassy in Havana also issued a security alert on February 3, 2026, warning U.S. travelers of the fuel shortages and advising them to be prepared for prolonged power outages. While the U.S. State Department has maintained its routine Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution travel advisory, initially issued in May 2025, the specific embassy alert underscores the immediate, on-the-ground challenges. The Level 2 advisory itself urges travelers to "Exercise Increased Caution" due to factors like crime and poor infrastructure, which are now compounded by the energy crisis.

Broader Context and Humanitarian Impact

This latest energy crisis is not an isolated incident but rather a recurring symptom of Cuba’s enduring economic vulnerabilities, exacerbated by decades of the U.S. embargo. The embargo, first imposed in the early 1960s, has undergone various iterations and levels of enforcement, but its core aim has always been to isolate Cuba economically. While proponents argue it pressures the Cuban government towards democratic reforms, critics contend it primarily harms the Cuban people and stifles economic development. The current administration’s intensified sanctions on Venezuela and Cuba reflect a hardened stance, directly impacting the flow of vital resources.

For ordinary Cubans, the implications of this crisis are far-reaching and severe. Long lines for gasoline are a daily reality, disrupting commutes, limiting access to essential services, and hindering productivity. Frequent power outages plunge homes and businesses into darkness, affecting everything from food preservation to internet access and medical equipment. The scarcity extends beyond fuel and electricity to basic necessities such as food, water, and medicine, creating significant hardship and stress for the population. These conditions evoke memories of Cuba’s "Special Period" in the 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, when the country faced extreme shortages and widespread deprivation.

The tourism sector, a critical source of foreign currency for Cuba, is particularly vulnerable. With fewer flights and stark travel warnings, the number of international visitors is likely to plummet, further straining the island’s already precarious economy. This downturn will directly impact the livelihoods of countless Cubans working in hotels, restaurants, transportation, and other related services, deepening the economic woes of the nation.

Expert Perspectives and Future Outlook

Analysts suggest that the U.S. strategy aims to increase pressure on the Cuban government, but its humanitarian cost is significant. Many international observers and human rights organizations have criticized the embargo for its broad impact on the civilian population. Experts on Latin American affairs point to the lack of clear indicators that these sanctions will lead to the desired political changes, instead potentially entrenching the current regime by allowing it to blame external forces for internal hardships.

Cuba’s government is likely exploring all available avenues to secure alternative fuel supplies, potentially turning to other allies or even the international spot market, though these options often come with higher costs and logistical challenges. The long-term solution would require either a significant shift in U.S. policy, a dramatic improvement in Venezuela’s economic and political stability, or Cuba’s ability to develop more robust and diversified domestic energy sources, a prospect that remains distant.

The current crisis underscores the urgent need for a more sustainable and less politically volatile energy strategy for Cuba. However, with the current geopolitical landscape, the immediate future appears fraught with challenges for both the Cuban people and the international travelers who wish to visit the vibrant island nation.

This is a developing news story and will be updated with information.