Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat have immediately suspended all flight operations to Cuba effective Tuesday, February 10, 2026, following an urgent warning from Cuban authorities that aviation fuel is no longer commercially available at the island's airports.

The sudden collapse of Cuba's fuel supply chain has triggered a chaotic scramble to repatriate thousands of stranded Canadian vacationers. Major carriers are now launching empty "ferry flights" to retrieve passengers, while the Canadian government has escalated its travel advisory, urging a "high degree of caution" for anyone remaining in the Caribbean nation.

Aviation Fuel Crisis Grounds Flights Until March

The mass cancellation of Cuba flight suspensions 2026 stems from a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued by Havana's José Martí International Airport late Sunday. The alert explicitly stated that Jet A1 fuel would be unavailable at major airports—including Havana, Varadero, Holguín, and Cayo Coco—starting February 10 and potentially lasting until March 11, 2026.

Without the ability to refuel on the island, commercial return flights became logistically impossible for standard operations. "Air Canada took the decision following advisories issued by governments regarding the unreliability of the aviation fuel supply at Cuban airports," the airline confirmed in a statement on Monday. "It is projected that as of Feb. 10 aviation fuel will not be commercially available at the island's airports."

Air Canada and WestJet Launch Repatriation Efforts

The Air Canada Cuba fuel shortage has left approximately 3,000 Air Canada customers currently stranded in destination. The flag carrier announced it will operate empty aircraft southbound over the coming days to bring these travelers home. These aircraft will "tanker" in—carry enough fuel for the round trip—to avoid needing to refuel in Cuba, or make technical stops in nearby countries like the Dominican Republic or the Bahamas.

WestJet has also suspended sales and canceled scheduled trips for WestJet Vacations and Sunwing Vacations. "All aircraft dispatched to Cuba will carry sufficient fuel to safely depart without reliance on local fuel availability," a WestJet spokesperson stated, confirming an orderly wind-down of operations effective immediately. WestJet Cuba flights status updates indicate a pause in service until at least late April.

Air Transat Cancels Winter Season

While initially attempting to maintain its schedule, Air Transat reversed course on Monday evening, announcing a suspension of all flights to Cuba until April 30, 2026. The airline is currently organizing a repatriation plan that includes special recovery flights. Travelers with bookings between now and the end of April will receive automatic cancellations and refunds.

Geopolitical Tensions Trigger Energy Collapse

The Cuba aviation fuel crisis is the latest escalation in the island's severe energy emergency. The shortage is reportedly linked to tightened U.S. sanctions and a blockade on oil shipments from key suppliers like Venezuela and Mexico. According to reports from the island, the fuel deficit is affecting more than just aviation; the Cuban government has begun consolidating tourists into fewer hotels to conserve energy, with resorts in Cayo Coco reportedly closing and moving guests to operational facilities.

"The situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate, disrupting flight availability on short notice," warned Global Affairs Canada in its updated travel advisory on February 4. The advisory highlights worsening shortages of electricity, fuel, and basic necessities like food and water.

What Stranded Tourists Need to Know

For Canadians caught in the Air Transat Cuba cancellations and other airline suspensions, the situation remains fluid. Airlines have implemented flexible rebooking and refund policies:

  • Air Canada: Offering full refunds to the original form of payment for canceled flights. No need to contact the call center; processing is automatic.
  • WestJet/Sunwing: Waiving change and cancellation fees for affected travel dates.
  • Air Transat: cancelling all packages through April 30 with full refunds.

Travelers currently in Cuba are advised to stay in contact with their airline representatives and monitor Cuba travel alerts February 2026 for updates on repatriation flights. With the fuel blockade expected to last through mid-March, a resumption of normal tourism appears unlikely in the immediate future.