Cuba Flight Crisis: 23-Day UPDATE — Air France SUSPENDS March 29–June 15, Air Canada Cancelled Until NOVEMBER 1, Fuel Outage Extended to April 10 — Complete Airline-by-Airline Guide

Published: March 5, 2026 (Updated from February 10 original)
Days Since Original Coverage: 23 days
Crisis Start: February 10, 2026 — Jet A-1 fuel unavailable at all 9 Cuban airports
Original “End Date”: March 11, 2026 —
MISSED. Crisis extended.
New Confirmed Fuel Outage Window: At least until
April 10, 2026 — FAA NOTAM confirmed
Air France: ✈️ SUSPENDING Paris CDG–Havana from
March 29 → June 15, 2026 — confirmed TODAY
Air Canada: ❌ Cancelled until
November 1, 2026 — entire summer season gone
Air Transat: ❌ Suspended through
April 30, 2026
WestJet + Sunwing: ❌ Suspended through at least
April 25, 2026 — no WestJet resumption date announced
Rossiya + Nordwind (Russia): ❌ Suspended — ~4,000 Russian tourists repatriated
Iberia (Spain): ⚠️ Operating — Madrid–Havana via Dominican Republic refuelling stop
Turkish Airlines: ✅ Operating with route adjustments
American Airlines: ✅ Operating — Miami–Havana reduced from 6 to 5 daily
Delta Air Lines: ✅ Operating — 1 daily Miami–Havana
Southwest Airlines: ✅ Operating — 1 daily Tampa–Havana (tanking fuel from Florida)
Aeromexico: ✅ Operating — Mexico City–Havana unaffected
Copa Airlines: ✅ Operating — Panama City–Havana continuing
Weekly flights affected: 400+ of Cuba’s scheduled international flights
Cuba Government Fuel Forecast: No confirmed normalisation date — April 10 is next review point
Canada Travel Advisory: Avoid all non-essential travel to Cuba — unchanged
Global Affairs Canada Aid: CA$8 million humanitarian funding announced for Cuba

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The Cuba flight crisis is no longer a 29-day disruption — it is a structural aviation collapse with no confirmed end date. When our original article published on February 10, Cuban aviation authorities said jet fuel would be unavailable at all nine international airports until March 11. That date has now passed without resolution. A new FAA NOTAM confirmed this week that the fuel outage extends at least to April 10. And today, Air France became the latest major carrier to formalise what the data has been showing for weeks: this crisis is measured in months, not days. Here is the complete 23-day update, airline by airline, airport by airport, and what it means for everyone planning to visit Cuba in 2026.

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What Changed Since February 10 — The 23-Day Timeline

February 10: Original fuel outage NOTAM issued. Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, and Air Transat all suspended operations within 24 hours. ~3,000 Canadian tourists stranded. Repatriation flights began.

February 12: All four Canadian carriers completed pivot to full suspension. Air Transat confirmed suspension through April 30. Air Canada confirmed May 1 as tentative restart.

February 14: Russian carriers Rossiya Airlines and Nordwind Airlines suspended Cuba operations. Approximately 4,000 Russian tourists affected. Repatriation flights operated with fuel tankered from third countries.

February 17: Air Transat completed all Cuba repatriation flights. Last Canadian-operated rescue departures left Cuban airports. Travel agents advised refunds for March departures being processed by February 18.

February 18: Last Air Transat repatriation flight departed Cuba. Canadian connectivity to Cuba effectively zero.

February 25: Air Canada issued revised guidance — suspension extended from May 1 to November 1, 2026. Cited “ongoing power outages and hotel closures in Cuba.” Passengers with bookings May 1–October 31 to be contacted individually with options including destination change.

Late February–Early March: FAA NOTAM database updated confirming Jet A-1 fuel unavailability extended to at least April 10 at all nine international airports. The original March 11 end date was not met.

March 4 (yesterday): Air France confirmed to AFP it will suspend its three weekly Paris CDG–Havana Boeing 787 flights from March 29 until at least June 15. Air France had previously been maintaining operations by adding a refuelling stop in the Bahamas on the return leg — a workaround that became commercially unsustainable as the crisis deepened. This is the biggest European carrier to suspend Cuba operations and the clearest signal yet that no quick normalisation is coming.

March 5 (today): This article.

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Why March 11 Came and Went — The Root Cause Explained

The original 29-day NOTAM (February 10–March 11) was written as though Cuba’s fuel shortage would resolve on a schedule. It has not — and the structural reasons why matter for understanding when flights can realistically restart.

The US embargo chain: Cuba’s primary aviation fuel supplier was Venezuela, which delivered crude oil and refined products to the island under a long-standing bilateral arrangement. In January 2026, the US effectively ended this:

1. The US seized control of Venezuela’s primary oil export mechanism following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
2. A PDVSA tanker loaded 80,000 barrels of jet fuel for Cuba in December 2025 — but never departed under strict US pressure.
3. President Trump threatened tariffs on any nation supplying oil to Cuba — effectively warning Mexico, China, Russia, and others away from filling the gap.
4. Cuba’s domestic reserves were depleted within weeks.

Cuba’s Díaz-Canel acknowledged in late January that Cuba had regressed to conditions comparable to the “Special Period” of the 1990s — the catastrophic economic contraction following the Soviet collapse. That is not a comparison any government makes lightly.

Why the crisis will not resolve quickly:

• No alternative major supplier has stepped forward publicly
• Every potential supplier faces US tariff threats
• Cuba’s refinery infrastructure is not equipped to process alternative crude types at scale
• International aviation fuel standards require Jet A-1 — Cuba cannot simply substitute a different fuel grade
• Cuba’s own state airline Cubana de Aviación has been effectively grounded for years due to the same energy constraints

The April 10 NOTAM is not a promise that fuel will be available on April 11. It is the next administrative review date. Airlines and industry sources are treating May 1 as the earliest possible normalisation, with many — including Air Canada — now operating as though summer 2026 is entirely lost.

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The Complete Airline Status Board — March 5, 2026

❌ FULLY SUSPENDED — DO NOT BOOK

Air Canada Suspended: February 9, 2026 Resumption: November 1, 2026 (entire summer season cancelled) Affected routes: Toronto–Varadero, Toronto–Cayo Coco, Montreal–Varadero, Montreal–Cayo Coco (Holguín and Santa Clara cancelled for full winter season) Passengers with May 1–October 31 bookings: Being contacted individually — options include destination change or credit Refund policy: Full automatic refund for February 9–April 30 departures. May 1–October 31: credit or destination change Contact: 1-888-247-2262 (CA/US) | aircanada.com/travel-notices

Air Transat Suspended: February 11, 2026 Resumption: April 30, 2026 (may restart May 1 if fuel stabilises — not guaranteed) All Cuba bookings February 11–April 30 automatically cancelled and refunded to original payment method Contact: 1-866-847-1112 | airtransat.com

WestJet + Sunwing Vacations Suspended: February 10, 2026 (orderly wind-down of winter operations) WestJet resumption: No announced resumption date Sunwing resumption: Suspended through at least April 25, 2026 WestJet was Cuba’s largest operator — averaging 100 flights/week to 7 airports, carrying 15,000 guests/week Contact: 1-888-937-8538 | westjet.com | sunwing.ca

Air France ← NEW TODAY Suspended: March 29, 2026 (last departure March 28) Resumption: June 15, 2026 — conditional on fuel improvement Routes: Paris CDG–Havana, 3x weekly, Boeing 787 widebody Air France had been maintaining service with a Bahamas refuelling stop on return legs — that workaround is now commercially unsustainable after 23 days Passengers will be contacted individually via email, SMS, or app Options: rebooking, voucher, or full refund — no additional charges Contact: airfrance.com | 1-800-237-2747 (US) | 0207-660-0337 (UK)

Rossiya Airlines (Russia) Suspended: Mid-February 2026 Resumption: No announced date ~4,000 Russian tourists repatriated via evacuation flights tankering their own fuel

Nordwind Airlines (Russia) Suspended: Mid-February 2026 Resumption: No announced date

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⚠️ OPERATING WITH SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS / ROUTE CHANGES

Iberia (Spain) Status:
✅ Operating — but with mandatory Dominican Republic refuelling stop on Madrid–Havana return leg Flexibility: Travel waiver for Madrid–Havana through end of March — date changes without penalty Limitation: The DR refuelling stop adds approximately 2–3 hours to the return journey Contact: iberia.com | travel-information section

Turkish Airlines Status:
✅ Operating — route adjustments for refuelling Istanbul–Havana is a long-haul route; Turkish is managing return legs with third-country fuel stops No suspension announced Contact: turkishairlines.com

Air Europa (Spain) Status:
✅ Operating Madrid–Havana — 42 scheduled flights in the coming month Managing fuel logistics with Caribbean stops Contact: aireuropa.com

World2Fly / World2Fly Portugal Status:
✅ Operating — charter/leisure carrier with Madrid and Lisbon–Havana routes Continuing with fuel logistics management Contact: world2fly.com

Neos (Italy) Status:
✅ Operating — Milan–Havana charter service continuing with adjustments Contact: neosair.it

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✅ OPERATING NORMALLY (SHORT-HAUL FROM FLORIDA / MEXICO)

These carriers can fly to Cuba and back without needing to refuel on the island — their short distances from Florida and Mexico allow them to carry sufficient fuel for the round trip.

American Airlines Status:
✅ Operating — Miami (MIA)–Havana Adjustment: Reduced from 6 to 5 daily MIA–HAV flights (February 19–March 28) All other AA Cuba routes maintaining normal schedule AA carries ~10 daily roundtrips across all Cuba routes — the largest US carrier to Cuba Contact: aa.com | 1-800-433-7300

Delta Air Lines Status:
✅ Operating — 1 daily Miami (MIA)–Havana No disruption reported — route unaffected by Cuban fuel shortage Contact: delta.com | 1-800-221-1212

Southwest Airlines Status:
✅ Operating — 1 daily Tampa (TPA)–Havana Requirement: Aircraft must carry sufficient fuel to reach an alternate airport without relying on Cuban refuelling Contact: southwest.com | 1-800-435-9792

Aeromexico Status:
✅ Operating — Mexico City (MEX)–Havana, unaffected Short enough route to carry adequate fuel for return Contact: aeromexico.com

Copa Airlines Status:
✅ Operating — Panama City (PTY)–Havana, continuing Contact: copaair.com

Caribbean Airlines Status:
✅ Operating — regional Caribbean routes continuing Contact: caribbean-airlines.com

VivaAerobus Status:
✅ Operating — Mexico routes unaffected Contact: vivaaerobus.com

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The 9 Cuban Airports Without Jet Fuel — What This Means for Each Destination

The FAA NOTAM applies to all nine of Cuba’s international airports, covering every major tourist destination:

The geography of who can still fly: The only reason US carriers are still operating is that Miami and Tampa are close enough to Havana (~350 miles) that aircraft can carry enough fuel for a round trip without relying on Cuban refuelling. European and Canadian carriers flying 4,000–6,000 miles need to refuel somewhere — and Cuba’s airports cannot provide that fuel.

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What About Cuba’s Hotels and Resorts?

Air Canada’s November 1 announcement used language that went beyond aviation: “ongoing power outages and hotel closures in Cuba.” This is a significant new element that was not fully visible in the February 10 original coverage.

Cuba’s energy crisis is not limited to aviation fuel. The broader situation includes:

Power outages: Cuba has been experiencing nationwide rolling blackouts — in some areas 12–20 hours per day. Major hotel chains including Meliá and Iberostar have been operating on generators, but generator fuel is also subject to the same supply constraints.

Hotel closures: Multiple resort properties across Varadero and Cayo Coco have temporarily closed due to low occupancy following the flight cancellations — not just because of the energy crisis itself. When 100+ weekly Canadian flights to Cayo Coco stop, the resorts lose their primary market and close temporarily to consolidate resources.

Resorts that reportedly closed temporarily: Air Transat’s February 17 update noted “several resorts in Cuba had been shut down temporarily due to low occupancy rates,” allowing affected customers to change date, hotel, or destination without penalty.

For travellers currently in Cuba: Resort properties are operating but under constraints. Power interruptions are likely. Air conditioning may be limited during outages. Ground transportation is severely affected by fuel rationing. Planning excursions outside resort zones requires extra preparation and flexibility.

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Who Is Still Going to Cuba — and Should You?

The travellers still going to Cuba today fall into three categories:

1. Americans flying from Florida (Miami/Tampa): American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest are all still operating. If you are flying from South Florida or Tampa, your flight operates normally. Cuba is accessible. The question is what you find when you arrive: power disruptions, limited ground transport, reduced resort capacity, and a country under genuine economic stress. This is a very different Cuba from two years ago.

2. European travellers via Iberia (Dominican Republic stop) or Turkish Airlines: Service exists but involves longer journey times due to refuelling stops. Iberia’s Madrid–Havana with a Dominican Republic stop adds 2–3 hours. If you are flexible and well-informed about what to expect on the ground, travel is possible.

3. Latin American and Caribbean connections: Aeromexico, Copa Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, and VivaAerobus are all operating normally. If you are connecting from Mexico, Panama, or another Caribbean island, Cuba is reachable.

Should you book a Cuba trip right now?

Directly confirming what travellers will encounter on the ground in Cuba today:

• ✅ Beach resorts in Varadero and Cayo Coco are generally open and functioning (where not temporarily closed)
• ✅ Havana’s old city, cultural sites, and restaurants are operating
• ⚠️ Power outages are a daily reality — most resorts have generators but fuel-dependent
• ⚠️ Ground transportation outside resort zones is severely limited due to fuel rationing
• ⚠️ Any non-resort excursion requires significant extra planning and may be unreliable
• ❌ Do not plan extensive independent travel around the island — fuel rationing makes it difficult

Canada government advisory: Global Affairs Canada advises avoiding all non-essential travel to Cuba. This is not a security advisory — it is based on service reliability and the difficulty of departure if your flight is cancelled. With Canadian commercial service suspended through at least April 30 (and Air Canada not until November), Canadians who travel to Cuba right now have very limited rescue options if the situation worsens.

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Every Airline’s Refund and Rebooking Policy — What You Are Owed

Air Canada (all Cuba bookings February 9–October 31, 2026)

February 9–April 30 departures: Full automatic refund to original payment method. No action required. Aeroplan points and gift cards also refunded automatically. Processing order follows departure dates.

May 1–October 31 departures: Being contacted individually. Options include:

• Change destination (price difference may apply)
• Future travel credit
• Not automatically refunded — action required by contacting Air Canada

Air Canada Vacations packages: Same policy. Call 1-866-529-2079 for packages. Travel agents: contact your Air Canada Vacations coordinator directly.

Air Transat (all Cuba bookings February 11–April 30, 2026)

All bookings February 11–April 30 automatically cancelled and refunded to original payment method. No action required. Refunds processed in order of departure date — March departures completed by February 18, April departures by end of February. Call 1-866-847-1112 if not received.

WestJet + Sunwing (all Cuba bookings February 10–April 25+)

All trips cancelled. Full refunds being processed. Flex Change/Cancel policy on westjet.com for any bookings not yet automatically processed. Contact sunwing.ca for Sunwing Vacations packages.

Air France (Cuba bookings March 29–June 15, 2026)

Affected passengers will be contacted individually via email, SMS, or Air France app. Three options offered:

1. Rebook on alternative Air France flights (different dates or destinations)
2. Travel voucher for full booking value
3. Full cash refund — no additional charges

Air France confirmed this in its AFP statement. If you have not been contacted and your flight falls in the window, contact Air France directly at airfrance.com or call 1-800-237-2747 (US) | 0207-660-0337 (UK) | 1300-390-190 (Australia).

Important: Always request a cash refund unless you specifically want a voucher. Airlines may default to offering vouchers — you are legally entitled to a full cash refund under EU261 for cancelled flights.

Iberia (Madrid–Havana flexibility policy)

Travel waiver issued for Madrid–Havana through end of March. Date changes permitted without penalty. If you wish to cancel, contact Iberia — refund eligibility depends on fare class. Check: iberia.com/travel-information.

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The Cuba Alternatives — Where to Go Instead

For Canadians and Europeans whose Cuba plans have been cancelled, the Caribbean and Latin America offer strong alternatives in the same price bracket:

For Canadians seeking all-inclusive beach holidays (Cuba’s core market):

For Europeans who wanted Cuba’s culture and music:

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When Will Cuba Flights Resume? — The Honest Answer

Based on all available information today, here is an honest assessment:

April 10: Next FAA NOTAM review date. If Cuba secures a fuel supply by early April, carriers will reassess. Do not count on it.

May 1: The date that Air Transat, WestJet, and Sunwing are pointing to as the earliest possible restart. Air Transat explicitly stated “may resume as early as May 1 if fuel conditions stabilize” — note the conditionality.

“Summer 2026” (May–October): Air Canada has written this off entirely — November 1 is their earliest date. Their reasoning (power outages + hotel closures in addition to fuel) suggests a more pessimistic view than their Canadian competitors.

November 1, 2026: Air Canada’s confirmed return date — the beginning of the next winter charter season.

Air France June 15: Conditional — Air France’s own statement says “subject to improvement in the current situation.”

The structural problem: Cuba’s aviation fuel crisis will not resolve until either:

1. A major oil supplier agrees to fill Venezuela’s role despite US tariff threats, OR
2. The US modifies its policy on Cuban oil supply, OR
3. Cuba arranges a complex multi-country fuel supply chain that can sustain 400+ weekly international flights

None of these has a clear timeline. The April 10 NOTAM extension — not March 11 — tells you everything you need to know about how the Cuban authorities themselves view the situation.

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The Bottom Line

What began on February 10 as a 29-day fuel outage has become a structural aviation collapse. Air France’s suspension today — March 29 to June 15 — is the clearest signal yet that the European aviation industry has stopped treating this as a temporary inconvenience and started treating it as a months-long reality. Air Canada’s November 1 date goes further still: Canada’s largest carrier is writing off the entire 2026 spring, summer, and fall Cuba season.

The US Florida carriers — American, Delta, Southwest — continue to serve Cuba normally from Miami and Tampa. Aeromexico, Copa, and Caribbean Airlines continue from Latin America and the Caribbean. Iberia and Turkish Airlines continue with refuelling workarounds. But the mass-market Canadian and long-haul European connectivity that underpins Cuba’s tourism economy is gone — and no reliable return date exists.

If you have a Cuba booking with Air France (March 29–June 15), Air Canada (through October 31), Air Transat (through April 30), WestJet or Sunwing (through April 25+): contact your airline today, choose your refund or rebooking option, and make alternative plans. The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, and Colombia are all fully operational and taking bookings now.

Official sources and airline contacts:

• Air Canada Cuba suspension notice: aircanada.com/travel-notices
• Air France Cuba announcement: airfrance.com/travel-alerts
• Air Transat Cuba suspension: airtransat.com
• WestJet Cuba advisory: westjet.com
• FAA NOTAM Cuba (live): notams.aim.faa.gov
• Global Affairs Canada Cuba advisory: travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba
• US State Dept Cuba advisory: travel.state.gov/cuba
• Canada humanitarian funding: international.gc.ca

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Posted By : Vinay

As a lead contributor for Travel Tourister, Vinay is dedicated to serving our Tier 1 audience (US, UK, Canada, Australia). His mission is to deliver precise, fact-checked news and actionable, data-driven articles that empower readers to make informed decisions, minimize travel risks, and maximize their adventure without compromising safety or budget.