Cuba has extended its aviation fuel shortage alert across international airports until at least early April 2026, amid a deepening national energy crisis exacerbated by restrictions on oil supplies from Venezuela and broader geopolitical pressures. Cuban aviation authorities issued updated notices, published through the Federal Aviation Administration’s NOTAM system on 3 March, declaring that Jet A1 fuel remains unavailable at ten key airports. These include Havana’s José Martí International Airport, as well as facilities in Camagüey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo del Sur, Cienfuegos, Holguín, Manzanillo, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, and Varadero. The extension follows an initial warning from February that had set a deadline of 11 March, with the new period running through 4 April or, in some reports, 10 April.
The fuel constraints stem from severe supply disruptions, including a de facto blockade on Venezuelan crude shipments following US actions in January 2026 that targeted oil exports to the island. This has led to widespread blackouts, with much of Cuba experiencing power outages on recent days due to failures at key plants such as Antonio Guiteras. The crisis has forced airlines to adapt by tankering fuel from external stops, rerouting flights, or suspending services entirely, severely impacting the tourism sector, Cuba’s second-largest source of foreign revenue.
Several carriers have already responded decisively to the prolonged shortage. Air France announced the temporary suspension of its Paris to Havana flights from 29 March until at least 15 June. Canadian operators including Air Transat have halted services through 30 April, with some eyeing a potential restart on 1 May if conditions improve. Other airlines from Canada, Russia, and Europe have curtailed operations or repatriated passengers, while a few continue limited flights by adjusting plans to avoid refuelling in Cuba.
Travel advisories from governments such as Ireland and London’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office urge against non-essential trips due to infrastructure disruptions, persistent power cuts, and fuel scarcity affecting transport and services. The situation continues to evolve, with no firm timeline for full restoration of supplies, posing ongoing challenges for inbound tourism and international connectivity to the Caribbean nation.
