Air Canada Suspends Flights to Cuba Due to Aviation Fuel Shortage on the Island

Air Canada has today announced that they are suspending service to Cuba due to an aviation fuel shortage on the island.  The carrier will operate empty flights to Cuba to pick up and return customers.

Air Canada Boeing 737-8 MAX - Courtesy Air Canada

On Monday (February 9, 2026), Air Canada announced that effective immediately they are suspending service to Cuba due to an ongoing shortage of aviation fuel on the island.  Over the following days, the airline will operate empty flights southbound to pick up approximately 3,000 customers already at the destination and return them home.  Air Canada made this decision following advisories issued by governments (NOTAMs) regarding the unreliability of the aviation fuel supply at Cuban airports.  It is projected that as of February 10, 2026, aviation fuel will not be commercially available at the island’s airports.  For remaining flights, Air Canada will tanker in extra fuel and make technical stops as necessary to refuel on the return journey if necessary.

As previously mentioned, Air Canada’s immediate priority is to return customers already in Cuba to Canada.  The carrier will operate empty ferry flights to the island over the coming days to maintain the regular schedule from Cuba to Canada over the near-term to pick up these customers.  Throughout the process, Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations monitored the situation closely, first introducing a flexible rebooking policy for customers traveling to Cuba. Air Canada Vacations is now introducing a refund policy, allowing customers who had scheduled departures to Cuba and experienced flight cancellations to automatically receive a full refund in their original form of payment.  There is no need for these customers to contact the Air Canada Vacations’ Contact Centre.

Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline.  The Canadian flag carrier is a founding member of the Star Alliance and holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax.  Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service to 180 airports in Canada, the United States, and internationally on six continents.  Through the carrier’s Aeroplan loyalty program, customers can earn and redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines.  Air Canada Cargo offers air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents with a dedicated fleet of 767-300 Freighters and passenger aircraft belly hold capacity.  Additionally, the airline has committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050.

Source: Air Canada / Globe Newswire