Havana, Cuba: Cuba is confronting an unprecedented aviation fuel crisis that threatens to disrupt civil aviation, international tourism and foreign connectivity amid an overarching national energy emergency.
Official aviation notices confirm that Jet A-1 fuel, the standard for commercial aircraft, will be unavailable at Cuba’s major airports from February 10 to March 11, 2026. The shortage affects all nine of the island’s international airports, including José Martí in Havana and Jardines del Rey in Cayo Coco, key hubs in the country’s tourism infrastructure.
Officials said the move was another turn in the energy pressure on Cuba that began on January 3, when following the US military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Washington announced an end to Venezuela’s oil shipments to the island,” the EFE report said.
According to aviation traffic data, the fuel crisis could disrupt nearly 400 weekly scheduled flights, requiring carriers to make technical refueling stops or adjust schedules. The most affected airlines by flight volume include:
• WestJet – Largest Number of weekly Flights Affected (Around 97)
• American Airlines – About 73 weekly flights into Cuba
• Copa Airlines – Around 29 weekly flights
• Air Canada – Multiple flights from Toronto, Montreal to Cayo Coco, Varadero and Santa Clara
• Air Transat – Several Canada‑Cuba routes
• Aeroméxico – Flights between Mexico City and Havana
• Air Europa – Havana–Madrid routes
• Air France – Havana–Paris flights
The civil aviation alert, issued through the international NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) system, states that Jet A-1 fuel “is not available” at these airports for the next month. Airlines are now being forced to arrive with extra fuel, make technical refueling stops abroad or cancel flights entirely, a significant operational challenge for carriers serving Cuba.
The fuel shortage affects not just Havana, but also Varadero, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba and other international terminals. According to the NOTAM, operators of commercial, charter, executive and cargo flights will need to adjust operations amid the scarcity of aviation fuel.
In addition to fuel scarcity, the notice highlighted limitations on navigational aids and runway visual range systems at some airports, complicating flight operations, especially under low-visibility conditions.
The jet fuel shortage is layering onto a tourism downturn. Cuba’s tourism industry, long a primary source of foreign exchange, already faced significant declines in visitor numbers in 2025 due to broader economic and energy restraints.
At Cayo Coco, airlines now must reconsider flight schedules as fuel scarcity threatens direct connectivity to resort corridors. Hotel operators have reportedly started relocating guests and temporarily closing some properties because transport and supply chains are constrained by the lack of aviation support.
Travel advisories from Western governments have warned international tourists to exercise caution due to fuel shortages, power outages and unpredictable service disruptions, which could further erode confidence in the island’s travel appeal.
Government sources and international reports indicate the fuel scarcity is part of a broader energy crisis catalyzed by major cuts to oil imports and refined product shipments, including restrictions tied to the United States’ sanctions and regional geopolitical tensions. Cuba has not received substantial oil shipments since January, contributing to power outages, transport shutdowns and now the aviation fuel interruption.
Cuban officials are implementing national rationing and emergency plans aimed at preserving essential services while trying to mitigate the impact on sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education and tourism.
Airlines operating Cuba flights have begun announcing flexible rebooking policies and advising passengers of potential disruptions, especially for travel planned between February and March. Some carriers are accommodating changes without penalty as they assess flight viability amid fuel uncertainty.
