Airlines Are Suspending Flights to Cuba Amid the Worsening Fuel Crisis

"International airlines are suspending flights to Cuba as the nation continues to face a worsening fuel shortage. As a result, Canada and the UK have both issued government advisories warning their citizens against unessential travel to the Caribbean island. The fuel crisis began after US authorities instituted a blockade against Venezuela's oil shipments to Cuba, cutting off a significant portion of the island's supply. The situation escalated on February 9, when Cuban aviation officials announced the nation was running out of jet fuel."

"As a result, airlines can no longer refuel in Cuba, leading several Canadian carriers to cancel their flights to the island. Air Canada and Air Transat have both temporarily halted flights to Cuba until at least May 1, 2026. WestJet has also suspended its Cuba-bound services, but has not yet announced when flights might resume. All three Canadian airlines are issuing automatic refunds to travelers with canceled flights. For customers already in Cuba, the carriers were able to arrange special flights for their return trips."

"US airlines, including American Airlines, Southwest, and Delta, are currently operating their flights to Havana and other destinations on the island as usual. That's because most US flights to Cuba are operated out of Florida, which is a short enough distance for the planes to make it there and back without needing to refuel. Southwest Airlines continues to operate one flight per day from Florida to Havana."

An escalating jet fuel shortage in Cuba, triggered by a US blockade of Venezuelan oil shipments, has forced international carriers to suspend refueling and cancel services. Canadian airlines including Air Canada, Air Transat and WestJet have temporarily halted flights to Cuba and are issuing automatic refunds while arranging special return flights for stranded customers. The UK and Canada have issued advisories against nonessential travel to Cuba. US carriers such as American, Southwest and Delta are still operating flights from Florida because those routes permit round-trip operation without refueling; Southwest requires aircraft to carry extra fuel to reach alternate destinations.

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