Air Canada has suspended its regular flights to Cuba after aviation authorities warned that jet fuel would not be available at airports across the island starting from Tuesday. The airline confirmed the decision on Monday, following formal notices issued by Cuban authorities to airlines and pilots. The disruption is expected to last until at least 11 March, and affects nine airports, including Havana’s José Martí International Airport.
Air Canada Suspending Cuba Service in Response to Aviation Fuel Shortage : https://t.co/AW6B1EbjDl
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) February 9, 2026
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Air Canada suspend son service à destination de Cuba en raison d’une pénurie de carburant d’aviation : https://t.co/IXH4TSGODC pic.twitter.com/ljywtrwxQu
Long-haul routes are expected to be most affected by the restrictions, as flights from Canada and Europe rely on refuelling at Cuban airports to operate safely. Regional carriers may be able to avoid disruption by carrying extra fuel or stopping in nearby destinations such as Cancun. Similar measures were used more than a decade ago during a previous fuel crisis, when aircraft refuelled outside the island before continuing their journeys.
However, Air Canada said it will operate special flights to bring around 3,000 passengers home. The airline normally runs about 16 weekly flights to Cuba from Toronto and Montreal, but those services are now on hold until fuel supplies stabilise.
The aviation disruption is part of a wider energy crisis affecting Cuba. Authorities have imposed strict rationing measures as fuel supplies continue to shrink. The electricity sector has been hit particularly hard, leading to frequent and extended power outages, with some areas experiencing blackouts that last several hours a day.
Public transport has also been affected. In Havana, bus services have been significantly reduced and, in some districts, have come to an almost complete halt. Long queues for fuel have become common across the capital and other cities. Authorities say limited supplies must be prioritised for essential services.
Some analysts and reports say the crisis has been worsened by tightening U.S. policies that have reduced Cuba’s access to regional fuel supplies. The Trump administration has taken steps to restrict Cuba’s access to oil from key regional suppliers. Fuel shipments from Venezuela have declined significantly since mid-December, and exports from Mexico have also fallen following new US policy measures.
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Cuba relies heavily on imported fuel to generate electricity and keep transport systems running. Ageing power plants and limited foreign currency reserves have worsened the situation. Several national institutions have adjusted operations in response to the deepening energy shortages. Banks have reduced opening hours, fuel distributors have begun selling petrol only in U.S. dollars with strict quantity limits per customer, and major cultural events such as the Havana International Book Fair have been postponed.
Tourism, one of Cuba’s most important sources of income, is now under additional strain. Before the pandemic, the sector generated around $3 billion annually, with Canada remaining one of the country’s largest markets. Ongoing flight disruptions threaten to further reduce visitor numbers at a time when the economy is already fragile.
President Miguel Díaz Canel addressed the nation in a televised speech last week, acknowledging the severity of the energy crisis and warning that more measures would follow. Officials have not said whether the aviation fuel shortage could be extended beyond March, leaving airlines and travellers uncertain about the duration of the disruptions. Tour operators and carriers are offering flexible rebooking or refunds for affected trips, and travellers are advised to check with their airline and monitor government travel advisories before flying.
