Air Canada Suspends Flights to Cuba Amid Severe Fuel Shortage
In a significant development highlighting the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba, Air Canada announced on Monday, February 9, 2026, that it will suspend all flights to the island due to a critical shortage of fuel, exacerbated by increasing U.S. pressure on Cuba's energy imports.
The airline stated in an official release that it will operate empty flights from Canada in the coming days to repatriate approximately 3,000 stranded passengers in Cuba, emphasizing that this decision prioritizes passenger safety and operational stability.
Cuban authorities have informed all airlines operating in and out of the country about a suspension of jet fuel supplies (kerosene / jet fuel) for a full month, effective from midnight on Monday, marking an unprecedented response to the energy crisis.
A Cuban official, who requested anonymity, indicated that the Cuban Civil Aviation Authority has notified airlines that “jet fuel supplies will cease starting at 00:00 on Tuesday, February 10, local time,” with the measure expected to last for a month.
He added that airlines operating long-haul flights will need to make “technical stops” for refueling outside of Cuba, while regional flights are anticipated to continue as scheduled.
This situation arises as Cuba grapples with a severe energy crisis following Venezuela's cessation of oil shipments under U.S. pressure, which threatened tariffs on countries supplying oil to Havana.
In response to the crisis, the Cuban government announced a series of emergency measures last Friday, including reducing the workweek to four days, expanding remote work options in government and state-owned enterprises, and implementing strict controls on fuel sales.
Notably, the halt in oil shipments from Venezuela followed the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro in early January, prompting President Donald Trump to sign an executive order last week imposing tariffs on nations that continue to supply oil to Cuba, further isolating the island and intensifying its crisis.
