The José Martí International Airport (AIJM) assured travelers on Friday that ongoing repair and maintenance work has not disrupted the terminal's usual operations. Passengers with scheduled flights can rest easy knowing that activities continue as normal.
This assurance comes through a statement on their official Facebook page, following reports from various Cuban and international media outlets. These reports, based on official aeronautical notifications known as NOTAMs, had announced temporary restrictions on the runway and taxiways at Havana's airport.
"Recent publications in different sites have caused uncertainty among passengers with booked flights. We confidently reaffirm that our airport is operating normally," stated the terminal in its communication.
Temporary Closures and Notifications Explained
One of the notifications causing concern is NOTAM A3277/26, which announced a temporary closure of the aerodrome from 11:00 PM on September 21 to 6:40 AM on September 22 for work involving personnel and equipment—a period of just over seven hours.
Reports by outlets like Infobae on this overnight closure have heightened traveler concerns. Additional NOTAMs issued by the Cuban Air Navigation Company (ECNA) earlier in the week ordered the displacement of the threshold on runway 06 by about 1,340 meters due to personnel and machinery presence. They also closed taxiway A between taxiway C and the same runway and disabled both the ILS glide path and the visual approach slope indicator (PAPI) system.
Some of these partial closures lasted only 30 minutes, while others extended for several hours.
Commitment to Safety and Continuity
The airport emphasized that this is standard practice at any terminal worldwide: "As part of our commitment to continuous improvement and operational safety, various repair and maintenance works are currently underway on the runway and taxiways of the AIJM aerodrome," it stated. It added, "Aircraft arrivals and departures, as well as baggage and cargo handling, are proceeding normally."
NOTAMs are mandatory notifications that inform pilots and operators about temporary conditions affecting air navigation. Their publication does not imply the complete closure of an airport or the cancellation of flights, although they may lead to specific operational restrictions.
Fuel Shortage Crisis in Cuban Airports
This situation coincides with a broader and more severe issue: the unavailability of Jet A-1 fuel affecting all ten international airports in Cuba since February 2026.
The ECNA continues to enforce NOTAMs A3054 to A3063/26, which declare a lack of aviation kerosene across the country’s international terminals until October 1, 2026. This crisis, stemming from the disruption of Venezuelan oil supplies and heightened U.S. sanctions, has led over eleven airlines to suspend or cut flights to Cuba this year, with more than 1,700 cancellations recorded in April.
Iberia does not anticipate resuming its direct Madrid-Havana route until June 2027, while Air Transat reported losses of $35 million directly linked to the suspension of its operations to the island.
Understanding Havana Airport Operations and Fuel Shortage
Why were there temporary closures at José Martí International Airport?
The temporary closures were due to scheduled repair and maintenance work involving personnel and equipment, which is a routine practice to ensure safety and continuous improvement.
How does the fuel shortage affect flights to and from Cuba?
The fuel shortage, caused by disrupted Venezuelan oil supplies and intensified U.S. sanctions, has led to over 1,700 flight cancellations and forced airlines to suspend or reduce services to Cuba.
What is a NOTAM, and why is it important?
A NOTAM is a mandatory notification to pilots and operators about temporary conditions affecting air navigation. It is crucial for maintaining safety and operational awareness, although it does not necessarily mean an airport closure or flight cancellation.