The aviation notices that declared Jet A-1 fuel unavailable at ten of Cuba's international airports expired at 04:00 UTC on October 1, 2026. However, the passing of this deadline does not necessarily indicate a resolution to the fuel supply issue.
A series of NOTAMs, from A3054 to A3063/26, was issued by the Empresa Cubana de Navegación Aérea (ECNA), stating "JET A1 FUEL NOT AVBL" with an end date of October 1. These advisories affected airports including José Martí in Havana, Juan Gualberto Gómez in Varadero, Jaime González in Cienfuegos, Abel Santamaría in Santa Clara, Ignacio Agramonte in Camagüey, Jardines del Rey in Cayo Coco, Frank País in Holguín, Antonio Maceo in Santiago de Cuba, Sierra Maestra in Manzanillo, and Vilo Acuña in Cayo Largo.
Understanding the Expiry of a NOTAM
While CiberCuba had previously reported on September 17 that these airports would remain without Jet A-1 until early October, the expiration of a NOTAM does not confirm the resumption of fuel availability. A NOTAM serves as an operational advisory for air navigation, and its expiration simply marks the end of the initially communicated period.
The notice could expire for various reasons: the original timeframe might have concluded, it could be replaced by a subsequent NOTAM, or the operational situation might have changed. To verify that Jet A-1 fuel is once again generally available at Cuban airports, an official statement from aviation authorities or equivalent operational information would be necessary.
Current Status and Reporting
As of now, CiberCuba has not found any public confirmation from Cuban officials regarding the widespread return of fuel supplies to the ten terminals. Additionally, an EFE report on October 1 continued to describe a severe aviation fuel crisis in Cuba, which was preventing aircraft from refueling on the island and causing many international airlines to suspend operations.
Alternative Strategies for Airlines
The absence of Jet A-1 does not inherently mean airport closures. Some airlines can carry enough fuel from their departure point to complete both the outbound and return flights without refueling in Cuba, a practice known as fuel tankering. Others may opt for a technical stop in a third country to refuel.
This approach is more feasible for relatively short flights from places like Florida, Mexico, or the Dominican Republic compared to long-haul flights from Europe or Canada. On October 1, EFE noted that a limited number of airlines continued operating flights to Cuba using such strategies, while major carriers had suspended routes due to the crisis.
Longstanding Fuel Shortages
This issue dates back months, with the series that ended on October 1 not being the onset of the crisis. The NOTAMs A3054–A3063 replaced earlier notices and were part of a chain of extensions that began in early 2026. In February, CiberCuba reported that nine international airports were without aircraft fuel, and later extensions added Cayo Largo to the affected list.
The ongoing fuel shortage has forced international airlines to suspend, reduce, or rearrange operations to the island, further straining Cuba's already struggling tourism sector.
The Role of ECNA's NOTAM System
To check these restrictions, the primary source remains the NOTAM system of the Empresa Cubana de Navegación Aérea, which publishes current notices for Cuba's flight information region. Although previous advisories have reached their expiration date, ECNA's public interface dynamically loads the current NOTAMs. As of the latest update, CiberCuba could not independently verify from this interface if a new series extending the Jet A-1 unavailability exists.
What can be stated is that there is insufficient documentary evidence to interpret the simple expiration of previous notices as a recovery of fuel supply.
When Will Fuel Supply Normalize?
For travelers and airlines, the critical issue is not just that October 1 has passed, but whether each airport can effectively offer sufficient fuel for regular operations. Until ECNA, airport authorities, or the airlines themselves confirm this normalization, the situation remains uncertain.
The distinction is significant: while the NOTAMs documenting the restriction have expired, it does not mean the aviation fuel crisis in Cuba has concluded.
FAQs on Cuban Airport Fuel Crisis
What is a NOTAM and why is its expiration important?
A NOTAM, or Notice to Airmen, is an advisory that provides critical information for the safety of air navigation. Its expiration is significant as it marks the end of the period for which the notice was issued, but it does not confirm the resolution of the issue it addressed.
Can airlines still operate flights to Cuba despite the fuel shortage?
Yes, some airlines can still operate flights by using strategies like fuel tankering, where they carry enough fuel for the round trip, or by making a technical stop in a third country to refuel.
How has the fuel crisis affected Cuba's tourism sector?
The fuel crisis has forced airlines to suspend, reduce, or rearrange flights to Cuba, adding another challenge to the already struggling tourism industry on the island.