Cuba’s already fragile tourism industry has been thrown into fresh turmoil as Air Canada suspends all flights to the island, citing an islandwide jet fuel shortage at nine international airports. For thousands of Canadians who flock to Cuban beach resorts each winter, the sudden halt raises urgent questions: what happens to existing bookings, how will stranded travelers get home, and what does this mean for trips planned in the coming weeks and months?
What Exactly Is Happening With Air Canada and Cuba Right Now
On February 9, Air Canada announced that it was suspending its entire Cuba schedule due to an “ongoing shortage of aviation fuel on the island.” The carrier said it took the decision after receiving official aviation notices warning that, as of February 10, commercial jet fuel would not be available at Cuban airports. The suspension affects its 16 weekly flights from Toronto and Montreal to four key leisure destinations: Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguín and Santa Clara.
For the remainder of the winter season, Air Canada has cancelled its seasonal services to Holguín and Santa Clara. Flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco, which normally operate year-round, are currently paused, with a tentative restart date of May 1 pending review of the fuel situation. The airline has indicated that the aircraft normally used on these Cuba routes will be redeployed elsewhere until regular operations can resume.
In the short term, Air Canada’s priority is repatriation. The airline is operating empty southbound “ferry” flights to Cuba over the coming days in order to pick up about 3,000 customers currently on the island and bring them back to Canada on their originally scheduled return dates as much as possible. Northbound flights from Cuba to Canada are expected to operate for now, while southbound services for new vacationers are halted.
The move places Air Canada among the first major foreign carriers to fully suspend tourist traffic to Cuba during this latest phase of the island’s energy crisis. Other airlines, including some European and Canadian competitors, say they are continuing to operate by tankering in extra fuel or scheduling refuelling stops in third countries, but they are also warning that their plans could change at short notice.
The Fuel Shortage Behind the Flight Cancellations
At the heart of the disruption is an unprecedented jet fuel shortage that Cuban authorities themselves have publicly acknowledged. A Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued by Havana’s José Martí International Airport states that Jet A-1 fuel will not be available from February 10 until at least March 11. Similar notices now cover nine international airports, including Havana, Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguín, Santa Clara, Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos and Manzanillo.
These notices mean that from February 10, airlines landing in Cuba cannot rely on refuelling before their next flight. In practical terms, carriers have three choices: arrive with enough fuel to fly in and back out without topping up, make costly technical stops in neighbouring countries to refuel, or cancel flights entirely. For a leisure-focused carrier like Air Canada, which concentrates a high volume of relatively low-margin holiday traffic into Cuba during the winter, the combination of operational risk, cost and uncertainty has tipped the balance toward a full suspension.
The aviation crisis is part of a broader fuel and energy emergency on the island. Cuba has faced rolling blackouts, transport disruptions and rationing for months, as supplies of crude and refined products from traditional partners such as Venezuela and Mexico have dried up under tighter United States sanctions and new pressures on countries that ship oil to Cuba. The government has warned of a month-long shortfall in aviation fuel, at minimum, during what is normally the peak season for foreign visitors.
For travelers, the key takeaway is that this is not a routine operational hiccup but a systemic shortage affecting most of the country’s major tourist gateways. Even airlines that continue to fly are having to work around the lack of fuel on the ground, which adds uncertainty and complexity to their schedules.
How This Disruption Affects Your Current and Upcoming Trips
If you are already in Cuba on an Air Canada package or ticket, the airline has stated that it will get you home. Empty southbound flights will be dispatched over the coming days specifically to collect stranded customers and operate their return legs back to Canada. In many cases, your original return flight number and date may be preserved, even if the aircraft flying down from Canada carries no outbound passengers.
For those who have not yet departed, the impact is more disruptive. Air Canada is cancelling upcoming departures to Cuba for at least the remainder of February and March, with seasonal flights to Holguín and Santa Clara cancelled for the whole winter season and Varadero and Cayo Coco suspended until at least May 1. Customers with near-term bookings are being offered options to change dates or destinations or to cancel entirely, with varying refund or credit conditions depending on travel dates.
Travelers booked with other Canadian carriers, including airlines that are part of tour operator groups, are not automatically affected in the same way. Some of these airlines have confirmed that their flights are still operating, explaining that their planes are flying to Cuba with enough fuel to make the return journey, or that they are adding technical refuelling stops in countries such as the Dominican Republic or Mexico. However, given the evolving situation and the month-long jet fuel outage at Cuban airports, even these carriers may modify schedules, reduce frequencies or consolidate flights on short notice.
Independent travelers connecting through Europe or Latin America likewise face uncertainty. Some foreign airlines plan to maintain service to Havana and key resort airports by tankering fuel or refuelling elsewhere, while others are reportedly reviewing their operations in light of the NOTAMs. Anyone scheduled to fly to Cuba between now and mid-March should monitor their airline communications closely and consider backing up plans, especially if they are connecting from another continent or relying on onward domestic flights within Cuba.
What It Means if You Have a Cuba Trip Booked
If you have a Cuba vacation scheduled for the next few weeks, the first step is to identify your airline and review the latest advisory from the carrier or your tour operator. Air Canada customers with departures up to the end of February are being offered fee-free date or destination changes, along with the option of a full refund in some cases. For departures in March and April, policies tend to favour date or destination changes with credits, rather than cash refunds, although exact terms vary and can change as the situation evolves.
Travelers set to fly with other airlines should not assume that their trips will be unaffected simply because their carrier has not suspended all flights. Technical refuelling stops can significantly lengthen travel times, and schedule changes may result in overnight layovers or shifts between airports. Some carriers may also consolidate lightly booked flights, moving passengers from one departure date to another, or adjust their hotel allocations as Cuba temporarily closes some properties and relocates guests to conserve energy.
For those contemplating new bookings to Cuba for late winter or early spring, caution is advisable. While it may be tempting to take advantage of discounted offers or last-minute deals, the fuel shortage is officially projected to last at least until March 11, and there is no guarantee that normal jet fuel supply will resume immediately afterward. In addition, the Cuban government is actively consolidating tourism capacity, closing some hotels and reshuffling guests, which can affect the quality and predictability of your stay.
Canada’s government and other foreign ministries are urging travelers to stay in close contact with their airlines and tour operators and to monitor official travel advisories. Insurance coverage can be complicated in situations involving government sanctions, fuel shortages and airline schedule changes, so it is important to read policy wording carefully and seek written confirmation on what is and is not covered.
Conditions on the Ground: Hotels, Power and Services
Beyond flight schedules, the fuel crisis is reshaping the visitor experience inside Cuba’s resorts and cities. Facing shortages of fuel for power generation and transport, the Cuban government has begun closing selected hotels and relocating tourists to other properties, especially in the Varadero area and on the northern keys. Officials describe this as a strategy to “compact” or “consolidate” tourism in order to reduce energy consumption while making the most of the high season with fuller hotels.
Guests arriving now may find that their original hotel is closed or only partially operating, and that they are transferred to another resort, sometimes at short notice. While tour operators typically try to honour the same or higher category of accommodation, travellers who chose a particular property for its unique beach, layout or atmosphere may be disappointed by changes they did not anticipate. Some on-the-ground reports also describe adjustments to air conditioning schedules, reduced lighting in common areas and limits on some nonessential services as part of broader energy-saving measures.
Rolling power cuts and reduced public transport are also part of the backdrop in many Cuban towns and cities, although large tourist enclaves often receive priority access to available resources. That said, excursions that depend on long bus rides, fuel-hungry boats or domestic flights can be scaled back, reshuffled or cancelled as operators cope with limited fuel allocations. Travelers should expect a less predictable environment than in previous years, with a greater need for flexibility and patience.
For Cubans working in tourism, the crisis is particularly painful. Hotels and resorts remain one of the main sources of foreign currency and relatively stable employment on the island. Hotel closures, reduced tourist arrivals and erratic schedules threaten incomes in a sector that was already weakened by the pandemic, past hurricanes and a long-running decline in visitor numbers. Many locals now face a combination of reduced work, higher prices and more frequent shortages of essential goods.
Alternatives and Workarounds for Travelers
For Canadian travellers determined to head south this winter, one option is to switch destinations rather than fight the uncertainty around Cuba. Airlines that have suspended Cuban routes are redeploying aircraft to other sunny destinations in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Central America and the Caribbean, where fuel supplies and infrastructure are more stable. Tour operators are encouraging affected customers to consider these alternatives, and in some cases are waiving change fees to facilitate the switch.
Another theoretical workaround is to travel to Cuba on airlines that are still operating by tankering fuel or refuelling in third countries. This might involve flying via Mexico City, Panama City, Santo Domingo or European hubs and then continuing to Havana or a resort airport. However, such itineraries can be more expensive, longer and more prone to disruption than direct holiday charters or non-stop flights from Canada. Independent travelers who choose this route should be prepared for last-minute schedule changes, longer travel days and the possibility of disrupted internal connections within Cuba.
Some visitors, especially those with family ties on the island or who are seasoned Cuba travelers, may opt to postpone rather than cancel outright. Shifting a trip to late spring or summer could theoretically buy time for the jet fuel situation to stabilize. Yet, because the current notices already extend through mid-March and Cuba’s broader energy challenges are tied to complex international politics and long-standing infrastructure issues, there is no simple or guaranteed timeline for full normalization.
For those who prefer certainty and a more predictable holiday experience, redirecting plans to another country this season may be the most sensible choice. The Caribbean and Latin America offer numerous alternatives with similar beaches, all-inclusive resorts and cultural experiences, but without the same degree of fuel-related disruption.
Practical Steps to Protect Your Travel Plans
Whether you decide to postpone, reroute or proceed with your Cuba trip, there are several practical steps you can take now. First, log into your airline or tour operator booking and ensure your contact details are up to date, including email and mobile phone number for real-time alerts. Many schedule changes are communicated via automated messages, and having accurate contact information improves your chances of receiving timely updates.
Second, document everything. If your flight is cancelled or significantly changed, keep screenshots or copies of the airline’s notifications, along with any revised itineraries or refund and rebooking offers. This paperwork can be important if you need to make an insurance claim, dispute a charge or demonstrate that you attempted to mitigate your losses by accepting a reasonable alternative.
Third, scrutinize your travel insurance and credit card coverage. Many policies distinguish between airline mechanical issues, weather and “political” or “governmental” events such as sanctions and embargoes. Some cover trip cancellation or interruption when a travel provider ceases operations to a destination for reasons beyond the traveler’s control, while others exclude such scenarios. If you are able to speak with your insurer, request written confirmation of what is covered in your specific case.
Finally, if you decide to travel to Cuba despite the disruptions, pack with contingencies in mind. Consider bringing small essentials that can be harder to find locally during shortages, such as certain medications, baby supplies or preferred toiletries. Build extra time into connections, be prepared for schedule changes and remain flexible about excursions and on-the-ground logistics. An adaptable attitude will go a long way in a context where local residents themselves are navigating constant change.
What to Watch for in the Weeks Ahead
Looking beyond the immediate wave of cancellations, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining how the crisis reshapes Cuba’s tourism landscape. Airlines will be watching to see whether the jet fuel shortage indeed eases after March 11 or whether the NOTAMs are extended, prompting a longer and deeper retrenchment of international air services. Any sign that normal refuelling can resume at key airports is likely to inform decisions about restarting suspended routes.
Tour operators will also be assessing demand. Even if fuel supplies gradually improve, many travelers may have already diverted their winter and spring vacations elsewhere, leaving Cuba with a longer-term hole in visitor numbers and revenue. Resorts and hotel chains could respond by consolidating further, delaying renovations or rethinking their presence on the island, particularly in more remote keys that are harder to serve when fuel and transport are constrained.
For would-be travelers, the key indicators to monitor are airline schedule announcements, updated travel advisories and official statements from Cuban civil aviation authorities regarding the availability of Jet A-1 fuel at the country’s airports. If you have flexible dates and a strong preference for visiting Cuba specifically, you may wish to wait for clear evidence that fuel supplies and flight schedules have stabilized before committing new funds to a booking.
In the meantime, Cuba’s tourism crisis, sparked by a jet fuel shortage and amplified by international politics, serves as a reminder that even well-worn holiday routes can be vulnerable to unforeseen shocks. For Canadians and other travelers accustomed to thinking of Cuba as a reliable, affordable winter escape, this season calls for more planning, more vigilance and, in many cases, a willingness to change course.