Throughout 2026, a total of eleven airlines have ceased their flight operations to Cuba, leaving only eight carriers continuing their routes to the island, as reported by the specialist website Reportur.
The catalyst for this wave of cancellations was the issuance of NOTAM A0356/26 on February 9, 2026, when the Cuban government announced the unavailability of Jet A-1 fuel at nine of the country's international airports: Havana, Varadero, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Cayo Coco, and Manzanillo.
Airlines Ceasing Operations
The airlines that have stopped their services to Cuba so far in 2026 include: Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, Air Transat, LATAM Perú, Magnicharters, Air France, Iberia, Rossiya, Nordwind, and Turkish Airlines. Some of these suspensions are temporary with announced return dates, while others remain indefinite, exacerbating the uncertainty surrounding Cuba's air connectivity.
Carriers Maintaining Flights
On the other hand, the eight airlines that continue to fly to Cuba are Air Europa, W2Fly (World2Fly), Aeroméxico, Viva (Viva Aerobus), Copa Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines. However, many of these airlines are not operating normally, implementing adjustments such as technical stopovers in third countries or operational changes due to the ongoing fuel crisis.
The latest development came from Air Transat, which announced on Tuesday the suspension of ticket sales for flights to Cuba from mid-June to the end of October 2026, automatically refunding all existing bookings. The Montreal-based airline had previously informed its travel advisors that it planned to resume operations on June 20, a date now uncertain.
Impact of Airline Suspensions on Cuba's Connectivity
Why have airlines suspended flights to Cuba in 2026?
The suspensions were largely triggered by the Cuban government's announcement of a Jet A-1 fuel shortage at nine international airports, causing airlines to halt operations.
Which airlines are still flying to Cuba?
Airlines such as Air Europa, W2Fly, Aeroméxico, Viva, Copa Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines are still operating flights to Cuba, albeit with certain operational adjustments.
What are the implications of these flight suspensions?
The suspensions create significant uncertainty in Cuba's air connectivity, affecting tourism and travel, and potentially leading to economic repercussions.