Cuba Tourism Crisis 2026: Fuel Shortages Ground Flights and Strand Thousands

For decades, the vibrant streets of Havana and the pristine sands of Varadero have been the lifeblood of the Cuban economy. But in February 2026, the music has quieted, replaced by the anxious hum of travelers checking flight statuses that no longer exist.

A catastrophic shortage of Jet A-1 aviation fuel has effectively severed Cuba’s connection to the outside world. As of February 10, the Cuban government issued an emergency notice (NOTAM) warning that none of the island’s nine international airports can provide fuel to departing aircraft. The result is a travel industry in freefall, with thousands of tourists stranded and major airlines pulling the plug on the Caribbean’s most iconic destination.

The Stranglehold: Why the Fuel Ran Out

The crisis isn’t just a logistical failure; it is a geopolitical one. Following a series of intensified energy embargoes and the threat of heavy tariffs from the Trump administration on any nation supplying oil to the island, Cuba’s traditional supply lines have snapped.

With shipments from Venezuela and Mexico halted under diplomatic pressure, the island’s reserves have reached zero. This “energy stranglehold” has forced the government to prioritize electricity and food production over the very sector—tourism—that provides the foreign currency needed to buy those essentials.

Airlines in Retreat: Cancellations and Stranded Travelers

The aviation industry’s reaction was swift and devastating. Air Canada, which serves as a primary bridge for the roughly one million Canadians who visit annually, suspended all operations to the island effective immediately.

The airline is currently operating “ferry flights”—empty planes flying into Cuba with full fuel tanks solely to repatriate the 3,000 stranded Canadians currently on the island. Other major carriers are following suit or implementing costly workarounds:

• WestJet and Sunwing: Initiated an “orderly wind-down” of winter operations, canceling flights through at least the end of April.
• Iberia and Air Europa: Continuing service from Spain but requiring a technical refueling stop in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as planes cannot take off from Havana with enough fuel to reach Europe.
• American Airlines: Scaling back services and monitoring the one-month “fuel blackout” window set to end on March 11.

The Human Toll: Beyond the Lobbies

While the headlines focus on stranded vacationers, the true weight of the crisis is felt by the Cuban people. In a move rarely seen outside of natural disasters, the government has begun closing major hotels in destinations like Cayo Coco and Varadero, consolidating remaining guests into “energy-efficient” hubs.

For tourism workers, this is a nightmare revisited. “The recreational areas have almost no customers,” says Maria, a hotel worker in Havana. “We went from six employees to just two. People are crying in the lobbies because they don’t know if they will have a job tomorrow.”

The crisis has trickled down to every corner of the travel experience:

• Classic Car Taxis: Fares have doubled overnight as drivers wait in digital queues for days just to secure a few liters of gas.
• Energy Consolidation: Tourists are being moved to higher-category hotels like the Hotel Nacional or Hotel Meliá Cohíba, which are equipped with better generators, leaving smaller boutique stays empty.
• Daily Life: Public transport has ground to a halt, and even the Havana International Book Fair was suspended to save power.

A Tourism Model in Jeopardy

Before this latest blow, Cuba’s tourism was already struggling. Arrivals in 2025 fell by over 20% compared to the previous year. Now, with the aviation fuel supply cut for at least a month, experts fear the 2026 winter peak is lost.

The “Special Period” of the 1990s—a time of extreme economic depression—is a phrase being whispered more frequently in Havana. Without the $3 billion in annual revenue that tourism typically generates, the island’s ability to import food and medicine is severely compromised.

Conclusion: A Precarious Future

The current fuel blackout is scheduled to last until March 11, 2026, but few in the industry are optimistic about a quick fix. As long as the geopolitical pressure remains, Cuba’s status as a top-tier travel destination remains on life support.

For travelers, the message is one of caution. The “unpredictable” nature of the island’s energy grid means that even if you can get in, there is no guarantee you can get out as planned. For the Cuban people, it is a test of resilience that they have faced many times before—but never quite like this.

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