Published on : 10 Feb 2026
Breaking: Cuba has ZERO jet fuel at all nine international airports starting TODAY February 10, 2026 through March 11—a full month-long aviation crisis unprecedented in modern Caribbean history. Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Sunwing have suspended ALL flights to Cuba effective immediately. American Airlines is cancelling services. Over 400 weekly flights across the region face cancellations or emergency diversions as the Trump administration’s oil blockade strangling Venezuela’s fuel exports to Cuba creates total aviation shutdown. Thousands of tourists already in Cuba are stranded. Here’s everything travelers need to know about this developing catastrophe.
Published: February 10, 2026, 8:00 AM EST Crisis Begins: TODAY (February 10, 2026, 5:00 AM UTC) Crisis Ends: March 11, 2026, 5:00 AM UTC (29 DAYS) Airports Affected: ALL 9 international airports in Cuba Weekly Flights Cancelled: 400+ Airlines Suspending Service: Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Sunwing, others TBA Stranded Passengers: 3,000+ Canadians, thousands more Americans, Europeans Cause: US oil blockade on Venezuela/Mexico fuel exports to Cuba
Starting TODAY at 5:00 AM UTC (midnight EST), every single one of Cuba’s nine international airports has ZERO Jet A-1 aviation fuel available for refueling aircraft. This isn’t a shortage—this is a complete depletion.
The Cuban government issued official NOTAMs (Notice to Air Missions) on Sunday night February 9, 2026 warning airlines: “JET A-1 FUEL NOT AVBL” (no Jet A-1 fuel available) effective February 10 through March 11, 2026—a full 29-day aviation blackout.
Crisis Timeline:
🚨 Sunday, Feb 9, 8:00 PM EST – Cuba issues NOTAM warnings to all airlines 🚨 Monday, Feb 10, 12:00 AM EST – Fuel shortage officially begins 🚨 Monday, Feb 10, 6:00 AM EST – Air Canada announces suspension 🚨 Monday, Feb 10, 11:00 AM EST – WestJet suspends services 🚨 Monday, Feb 10, 5:00 PM EST – Air Transat cancels all flights through April 30 🚨 Ongoing – More airline cancellations expected hourly 🚨 March 11, 2026 – Fuel shortage scheduled to end (if no extension)
Current Status:
✈️ ALL 9 international airports – No refueling capability ✈️ 400+ weekly flights – Cancelled or severely disrupted ✈️ Canadian carriers – Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Sunwing ALL suspended ✈️ American Airlines – Services being cancelled ✈️ European carriers – Aeroflot/Rossiya making emergency tech stops ✈️ 3,000 Canadians – Stranded in Cuba needing evacuation ✈️ Thousands more – Americans, Europeans, Latin Americans trapped
EVERY international airport in Cuba is affected. No exceptions.
Complete List of Affected Airports:
1️⃣ Havana (José Martí International – HAV/MUHA) – Cuba’s largest, main hub 2️⃣ Varadero (Juan Gualberto Gómez – VRA) – Major beach resort gateway 3️⃣ Cayo Coco (Jardines del Rey – CCC) – Island resort destination 4️⃣ Holguín (Frank País – HOG) – Eastern Cuba tourism hub 5️⃣ Santiago de Cuba (Antonio Maceo – SCU) – Second-largest city 6️⃣ Santa Clara (Abel Santamaría – SNU) – Central Cuba 7️⃣ Cienfuegos (Jaime González – CFG) – South coast 8️⃣ Camagüey (Ignacio Agramonte – CMW) – Central region 9️⃣ Manzanillo (Sierra Maestra – MZO) – Southeast coast
What “No Fuel Available” Actually Means:
❌ Aircraft CANNOT refuel at Cuban airports ❌ Airlines must tanker fuel (carry extra from departure airport) ❌ Long-haul flights impossible (not enough fuel capacity) ❌ Round-trip flights must carry fuel for entire journey ❌ Technical stops required in third countries (Dominican Republic, Mexico, Bahamas) ❌ Most airlines choosing cancellation over complex operations
Canada’s flagship carrier announced immediate suspension of all Cuba flights Monday morning February 10, 2026.
Air Canada Impact:
✈️ 16 weekly flights cancelled – Toronto and Montreal to Cuba ✈️ Automatic full refunds – All affected passengers ✈️ Ferry flights operating – Empty planes retrieving stranded Canadians ✈️ Air Canada Vacations – Tour packages fully refunded
“Air Canada is suspending service to Cuba because of a shortage of aviation fuel on the island,” the airline stated. Passengers with affected flights will receive automatic full refunds with no action required.
WestJet suspended all Cuba operations effective immediately with flexible rebooking through February 26.
WestJet Impact:
✈️ Multiple weekly flights – Toronto, Calgary to Varadero, Cayo Coco ✈️ Sunday-Feb 26 flexibility – Free changes or refunds ✈️ Vacation packages – Full refunds being processed
Air Transat initially said flights would operate, then reversed course Monday evening, suspending ALL Cuba service through April 30, 2026.
Air Transat Impact:
✈️ Wednesday through April 30 – ALL bookings automatically cancelled ✈️ Full refunds – Processed automatically ✈️ Most aggressive cancellation – Extends well beyond fuel crisis end date
Sunwing offering flexible cancellation and rebooking options for all Cuba travel.
American Airlines operates significant service to Cuba from Miami, Charlotte, and other US hubs. Cancellations are being processed though no official statement released yet.
American’s Cuba Network (at risk):
✈️ Miami → Havana (multiple daily) ✈️ Charlotte → Havana ✈️ Miami → Varadero, Holguín, Santa Clara
Panama’s Copa Airlines operates extensive Caribbean network with heavy Cuba presence—among the 400+ weekly flights industry-wide facing disruption.
Russian carrier Rossiya (Aeroflot subsidiary) announced it will continue Cuba flights but with emergency technical stops in third countries to refuel.
Tech Stop Options:
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic – Santo Domingo, Punta Cana 🇲🇽 Mexico – Cancun 🇧🇸 Bahamas – Nassau (used during last crisis 10+ years ago)
This crisis stems directly from Trump administration pressure severing Cuba’s petroleum supply chains.
January 3, 2026: US military operation deposes Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro January 30, 2026: Trump signs executive order threatening tariffs on ANY country selling oil to Cuba February 2026: Venezuela (Cuba’s primary oil source) halts all exports to island February 2026: Mexico stops fuel shipments fearing US sanctions February 10, 2026: Cuba’s jet fuel reserves completely depleted
Russian Response:
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated Monday: “The situation in Cuba is truly critical. We know this. We are in intensive contact with our Cuban friends through diplomatic and other channels. Indeed, let’s say the U.S.’s stranglehold is causing many difficulties for the country.”
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla condemned Washington’s tariff threats in the “strongest possible terms.”
The last time Cuba faced jet fuel shortages of this scale was over 10 years ago, when European-bound flights refueled in Nassau, Bahamas. But that crisis lasted days—not 29 days.
An international airport without fuel for an entire month is virtually unprecedented outside active war zones.
3,000+ Canadians are currently in Cuba on vacation packages, now stranded with cancelled return flights.
Air Canada Ferry Flights:
✈️ Empty aircraft flying to Cuba with full fuel tanks ✈️ Passenger-only return – No cargo, maximum fuel ✈️ Operating for several days – Until all Canadians evacuated ✈️ No refueling in Cuba – Tanker fuel sufficient for round-trip
WestJet/Air Transat Similar Operations:
All three major Canadian carriers coordinating mass evacuation of citizens before completely ending service.
Thousands of American tourists in Cuba face similar predicament. American Airlines expected to operate ferry flights but no official announcement yet.
European tourists on charter flights from UK, Germany, France, Italy face week-long or longer stays until their carriers arrange evacuation.
Tourism generates $3 billion annually for Cuba—a vital economic lifeline for the communist island. This crisis decimates that revenue stream.
Economic Devastation:
💰 $3 billion annual tourism – Now at risk 💰 400+ weekly flights – Cancelled = thousands of tourists per day NOT arriving 💰 Hotel occupancy collapse – Resorts in Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguín empty 💰 Restaurant/service sector – Tens of thousands of jobs threatened 💰 Foreign currency crisis – Cuba desperately needs tourism dollars
Compounding Crises:
The aviation fuel shortage is just the latest catastrophe for Cuba:
⚡ 10-hour daily blackouts – Power grid collapsing 🍽️ Food shortages – Basic supplies unavailable 💊 Medicine shortages – Hospitals lacking critical drugs 🚗 Vehicle fuel shortages – Gas lines hours long 📉 Rampant inflation – Cuban peso collapsing 🛳️ Mass emigration – Thousands fleeing island monthly
Analysts compare current conditions to Cuba’s “Special Period” of the 1990s—the severe economic depression following Soviet Union collapse.
Cuban officials have given NO public comments on the fuel shortage. The March 11 end date is based solely on the NOTAM—but there’s no guarantee fuel will actually arrive.
Extension Scenarios:
🔴 US blockade continues – Venezuela/Mexico still blocked from exporting 🔴 No alternative suppliers – Russia, other nations unwilling to risk US sanctions 🔴 Crisis extends through spring – Entire tourism season destroyed 🔴 Permanent service suspensions – Airlines abandon Cuban market entirely
“The inability to guarantee fuel for civil aviation not only jeopardizes the country’s connectivity with the outside world, but also highlights the logistical collapse of a model incapable of sustaining basic strategic services,” notes Cuban news outlet CiberCuba.
Travelers affected by Cuba flight cancellations have specific rights depending on where they booked and which airline.
✅ Full refunds – All Canadian carriers (Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Sunwing) offering automatic refunds ✅ Rebooking to alternative destinations – At no additional cost ✅ Tour package refunds – Air Canada Vacations, WestJet Vacations, etc. refunding fully ✅ Evacuation flights – For passengers already in Cuba
✅ American Airlines likely full refunds – Though no official policy announced yet ✅ DOT regulations – Require refunds for cancelled flights ✅ Alternative routing – Caribbean alternatives (Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mexico)
Most comprehensive travel insurance policies WILL cover this situation:
💰 Trip cancellation – Full coverage (government/supplier failure) 💰 Trip interruption – If you’re stranded in Cuba 💰 Additional accommodation – Hotels while waiting evacuation 💰 Meals and essentials – Covered during extended stay 💰 Emergency evacuation – Medical or political emergency coverage
File Claims Immediately:
Contact your travel insurance provider NOW if:
📞 Your Cuba flight was cancelled 📞 You’re currently stranded in Cuba 📞 You have upcoming Cuba travel booked 📞 You incurred extra costs (hotels, meals, alternative flights)
Keep ALL documentation: cancelled flight confirmations, receipts, communications from airlines.
With Cuba unavailable through at least March 11 (possibly longer), travelers can rebook to alternative Caribbean destinations.
🏝️ Dominican Republic – Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana 🏝️ Jamaica – Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios 🏝️ Mexico – Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel 🏝️ Turks & Caicos – Providenciales 🏝️ Aruba – Palm Beach 🏝️ Barbados – West Coast resorts
Pricing Warning:
With thousands of cancelled Cuba bookings suddenly seeking alternatives, expect dramatic price increases for March-April Caribbean travel. Book alternative destinations immediately before inventory sells out.
Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Sunwing all operate extensive Caribbean networks to alternative destinations. Contact carriers directly for rebooking options.
American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue all serve multiple Caribbean destinations from major US hubs.
1️⃣ Contact airline immediately – Request full refund or alternative destination 2️⃣ Check email/app – Airlines sending automatic cancellation notices 3️⃣ Call travel insurance – File claim if you purchased coverage 4️⃣ Book alternative now – Caribbean inventory selling out fast 5️⃣ Screenshot everything – Cancelled flights, refund confirmations, receipts 6️⃣ Monitor news daily – Situation fluid, could extend beyond March 11
1️⃣ Contact your airline ASAP – Get on evacuation flight list 2️⃣ Go to airport – If ferry flights operating today 3️⃣ Bring passport, all documents – Be ready to leave on short notice 4️⃣ Contact your embassy – US Embassy, Canadian Embassy can assist 5️⃣ Keep receipts – Extended hotel, meals for insurance claim 6️⃣ Conserve cash – ATMs may run out, credit cards unreliable 7️⃣ Stay near hotel – Power outages, fuel shortages make travel dangerous
1️⃣ DO NOT book yet – Wait for crisis resolution confirmation 2️⃣ Consider alternative destinations – Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico safer bets 3️⃣ Buy refundable tickets only – If you must book Cuba 4️⃣ Purchase “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance – Maximum flexibility 5️⃣ Monitor March 11 – See if fuel actually arrives as scheduled 6️⃣ Plan for uncertainty – Cuba’s economic crisis worsening
Canada has upgraded travel advisory for Cuba, warning of:
⚠️ Worsening fuel shortages ⚠️ Food and medicine shortages ⚠️ Extended power outages ⚠️ Limited consular services
Canadian Embassy in Havana: Limited ability to assist due to Cuba’s overall crisis
US State Department maintains Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory for Cuba citing:
⚠️ Health services inadequate ⚠️ Crime increasing ⚠️ Limited US government assistance
UK Foreign Office warns British travelers:
⚠️ No commercial flights available ⚠️ Fuel, food, medicine shortages severe ⚠️ Power outages daily
Aviation Consultant John Strickland:
“An international airport without fuel for an entire month is virtually unheard of outside active war zones. This isn’t a logistics hiccup—this is a state failure. Cuba’s aviation infrastructure has collapsed.”
Air Passenger Rights Advocate Gabor Lukacs:
“Airlines are handling this properly by offering full refunds and evacuation flights. Passengers should accept refunds immediately and rebook alternative destinations. Cuba’s tourism industry may not recover from this for years.”
Latin America Analyst:
“The Trump administration’s oil blockade has effectively isolated Cuba more severely than at any point since the 1990s Special Period. This jet fuel crisis is just one symptom of total economic collapse.”
Will Airlines Return After March 11?
Even if fuel becomes available March 11, airlines may be reluctant to return to Cuba given:
📉 Ongoing economic instability 📉 Risk of future fuel shortages 📉 Reduced tourist demand (negative publicity) 📉 Operational complications (tech stops, tankering) 📉 Limited profitability in crisis environment
Air Transat’s suspension through April 30—well beyond the March 11 fuel crisis end date—suggests airlines expect ongoing problems.
Cuba’s Tourism Industry at Risk:
If major carriers permanently reduce or eliminate Cuba service, the island’s tourism industry could permanently contract, devastating an already fragile economy.
Last Updated: February 10, 2026, 8:00 AM EST Status: ALL 9 Cuban airports without jet fuel through March 11 Airlines Suspended: Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Sunwing (more expected) Next Key Date: March 11, 2026 (scheduled fuel crisis end)
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Posted By : Vinay
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