The energy crisis in Cuba has reached a critical juncture, now severely affecting civil aviation. An official aeronautical notice (NOTAM) from Havana's José Martí International Airport has confirmed the terminal's lack of Jet A-1 fuel, the standard type used by commercial aircraft.
This international NOTAM, identified as A0356/26, explicitly states: "JET A-1 FUEL NOT AVAILABLE". The notice has been active since February 10, 2026, at 05:00 UTC and will remain in effect until at least March 11, 2026, marking a full month without guaranteed fuel supply at the nation's primary airport.
Such official warnings are issued to alert pilots, airlines, and aviation operators about critical operational conditions. In this instance, the absence of fuel means aircraft cannot refuel in Havana—a dire situation for an international airport that handles most of Cuba's air traffic.
Flight Disruptions and Operational Challenges
The lack of Jet A-1 forces airlines to arrive with additional fuel from their origin airports, make technical stops in third countries for refueling, or directly cancel flights. These alternatives increase operational costs and undermine the feasibility of maintaining regular routes.
The impact affects commercial flights, charter services, cargo operations, and executive aviation, disrupting key connections with the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Routes to cities such as Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Madrid, Panama City, Cancún, or Mexico City are now under a cloud of uncertainty.
To date, no airline has officially announced a total suspension of operations, but the NOTAM confirms that the issue is no longer a verbal warning from the Cuban government but a recognized operational limitation in international aviation systems.
Logistical Collapse and Structural Crisis
The aviation fuel shortage directly results from the deterioration of Cuba's energy system, exacerbated by the interruption of external supplies and the regime's inability to secure stable imports. For years, Cuba relied heavily on oil from Venezuela, a supply cut off following Nicolás Maduro's fall.
This situation is compounded by increased pressure from the United States. In late January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions and tariffs on countries supplying oil to the Cuban regime, deeming Havana a threat to U.S. national security.
A Symptom of a Broader Collapse
An international airport without fuel for weeks is an extraordinary and rare scenario in countries with functional economies. In Cuba's case, it adds to a context marked by daily blackouts, rampant inflation, food and medicine shortages, tourism shutdowns, and mass emigration.
The inability to secure aviation fuel 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. While the regime insists on blaming external factors, the facts reveal a profound crisis that is now isolating Cuba even by air.
Understanding Cuba's Aviation Fuel Crisis
What is the current fuel situation at Havana's airport?
Havana's José Martí International Airport is currently unable to supply Jet A-1 fuel, the standard for commercial aircraft, as confirmed by an official NOTAM.
How does this fuel shortage impact flights to and from Cuba?
Airlines are forced to bring extra fuel from departure airports, make additional stops for refueling, or cancel flights, significantly increasing operational costs and affecting regular routes.
What are the broader implications of this fuel crisis for Cuba?
The shortage underscores a logistical collapse and highlights a systemic crisis in Cuba, affecting not only aviation but the entire energy sector, thereby isolating the country further.