The Cuban Ministry of Tourism has shared a guide on its official Facebook page for Canada, offering alternative flight routes for Canadian tourists wishing to visit the island during the summer of 2026. This comes in response to the lack of direct flights from Canada to Cuba.
Targeting the island’s primary source of tourists, the post outlines six connection options: flights through Miami with American Airlines (to Havana, Varadero, Santa Clara, Camagüey, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba) and with Delta Air Lines (to Havana); through Panama City with Copa Airlines; through Mexico City with Aeroméxico; through Cancún with Viva Aerobus (to Havana and Camagüey); and through Nassau with Bahamasair (to Havana).
The Cuban government is imposing two additional requirements for these routes: obtaining a mandatory e-Visa, available at evisacuba.cu or through the tour operator Hola Sun Holidays, and completing the D'Viajeros form for traveler information to receive the QR code necessary for entry.
This measure is a desperate response to an aviation connectivity crisis that erupted on February 9, 2026. On that date, Cuba issued a notice warning that Jet A-1 fuel would be unavailable at nine international airports, including Havana, Varadero, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba.
As a result, Canadian airlines massively suspended their flights to Cuba: Air Canada postponed its service resumption until November 1, 2026; WestJet canceled most operations until October; Air Transat extended its suspension until the end of October; and Sunwing halted flights indefinitely.
In total, eleven airlines have suspended their routes to Cuba in 2026, with only eight continuing to operate flights to the island.
The impact on Canadian tourism has been devastating. In March 2026, only 511 Canadians visited Cuba, compared to 98,663 in the same month of 2025, representing a 99.48% decrease.
Canada has historically been the top source of tourists to Cuba, with over 750,000 visitors in 2025, accounting for more than 40% of the island’s international tourist arrivals.
The collapse extends beyond Canadian tourism. Russian visitor numbers also plummeted, from 7,314 in February to just 249 in March 2026, following the suspension of flights by Rossiya and Nordwind on February 11.
The Broader Impact on Cuba's Tourism Sector
Cuba's tourism sector as a whole has shrunk to 52% of the previous year’s level in the first quarter of 2026, with only 298,057 international visitors. Hotel occupancy rates have also fallen dramatically, reaching just 18.9% in the first two months of the year.
This isn’t the first time the Cuban regime has attempted to mitigate the situation through these means. The state tourism group Gaviota began promoting travel from Canada to Cuba via third countries as early as February 17, 2026, shortly after the fuel crisis began.
This week’s announcement from MINTUR formalizes that strategy with specified routes and detailed visa requirements, in an effort to restore the dwindling tourist flow.
FAQs about Canadian Travel to Cuba Amid Flight Suspensions
Why are there no direct flights from Canada to Cuba?
Cuba is currently experiencing a Jet A-1 fuel shortage at its international airports, leading to the suspension of direct flights from Canada.
What are the alternative routes for Canadians traveling to Cuba?
Canadians can travel to Cuba via connecting flights through Miami, Panama City, Mexico City, Cancún, or Nassau, using airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Copa Airlines, Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus, and Bahamasair.
What requirements must be met to travel to Cuba?
Travelers need to obtain an e-Visa and complete the D'Viajeros form to receive a QR code for entry into Cuba.