• Air Canada suspends all flights to Cuba due to aviation fuel shortages.
• The Cuban government has warned that jet fuel will be unavailable at several airports.
• US sanctions have severely impacted fuel supplies from Venezuela and Mexico.
• Empty flights will operate to bring home approximately 3,000 stranded customers.
• The situation is causing significant challenges for Cuba's tourism-dependent economy.

Air Canada has announced the suspension of all its flights to Cuba as of February 10, 2026, due to an ongoing aviation fuel shortage on the island. The airline plans to operate empty flights to transport approximately 3,000 customers currently in Cuba back to Canada. This decision comes after advisories pointed to the unreliability of fuel supply at Cuban airports, which is expected to be commercially unavailable soon, according to Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency.

The Cuban government published warnings indicating that jet fuel will not be available at nine key airports starting February 10, with effects anticipated until March 11. This drastic measure is part of a broader effort to manage fuel rationing amid increasing pressure from the US, which has restricted Cuba's access to petroleum supplies from Venezuela and Mexico. Political pressure has intensified, as US President Donald Trump recently threatened to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, as reported by Le Monde and South China Morning Post.

As the aviation fuel crisis deepens, other airlines have also reported operational difficulties, with some flights delaying or routing through the Dominican Republic to refuel. The cuts pose significant challenges, particularly for long-haul flights, highlighting the critical role of tourism in Cuba's economy. Cuban officials revealed that these issues may not disrupt regional flights but threaten the viability of international routes, further complicating the situation for airlines, as stated by Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

Air Canada is not the only entity affected; the Cuban economy is also facing a wider energy crisis. The fuel shortages are effectively grounding Havana’s public transport, thereby affecting the daily lives of many residents. In response to the crisis, several cultural events have been suspended, banking hours reduced, and immediate plans for fuel rationing have been initiated as the government grapples with the fallout, according to Le Monde, South China Morning Post, and Anadolu Agency.