Air Canada cancels flights to Cuba as jet fuel supplies run dry

Airlines in Russia, Spain, and the U.S. say they will continue flights, but with refueling stops.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Air Canada has announced it is suspending all flights to Cuba, effective immediately, due to a shortage of jet fuel at Havana's airport. Other airlines, including those from Russia, Spain, and the U.S., say they will continue flying to Cuba but will need to make refueling stops along the way.

Why it matters

The jet fuel shortage is the latest economic casualty of additional U.S. sanctions on Cuba, which are aimed at cutting off the island's oil supplies. The impact on tourism, a key part of Cuba's economy, could be significant, as Canada was the top source of visitors to the island in 2025.

The details

Air Canada said it would send aircraft to bring home 3,000 customers already in Cuba, and that for remaining flights, the airline would 'tanker in extra fuel and make technical stops as necessary to refuel on the return journey.' Airlines in Russia, where Cuba is also a top holiday destination, said they had no plans to change their schedules, but at least one Rossiya Airlines flight was canceled. Spain's Iberia and Air Europa said flights from Madrid to Havana would now stopover in the Dominican Republic to refuel. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico said they would continue flying the route.

  • On Sunday, an international NOTAM system notice confirmed that no A-1 jet fuel would be available at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport for one month between Tuesday and March 11.
  • On January 3, the United States carried out a military operation to remove President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, cutting off Cuba's main source of oil imports.

The players

Air Canada

Canada's Montreal-headquartered flag-carrier airline.

Rossiya Airlines

A Russian airline that had to cancel at least one flight to Cuba due to the jet fuel shortage.

Iberia

A Spanish airline that will now stopover in the Dominican Republic to refuel flights from Madrid to Havana.

American Airlines

A U.S. airline that says it will continue flying the route to Cuba, with aircraft that can carry enough fuel for the round trip without refueling.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who has imposed additional sanctions on Cuba aimed at cutting off the island's oil supplies.

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What’s next

The U.S. sanctions on Cuba's oil supplies are expected to continue, potentially leading to further disruptions in air travel and other economic activities on the island.

The takeaway

The jet fuel shortage in Cuba is the latest fallout from the escalating U.S. trade embargo, which is now directly impacting the island's vital tourism industry and forcing airlines to find creative solutions to keep flights operating.