What to Know About Touring to Cuba Amid the Gasoline Disaster

International airways are suspending flights to Cuba because the nation continues to face a worsening gasoline scarcity. As a consequence, Canada and the UK have each issued authorities advisories warning their residents towards unessential journey to the Caribbean island.

The gasoline disaster started after US authorities instituted a blockade towards Venezuela’s oil shipments to Cuba, slicing off a good portion of the island’s provide. The scenario escalated on February 9, when Cuban aviation officers introduced the nation was working out of jet gasoline. That means planes can not refuel in Cuba, making it harder for worldwide airways to fly long-haul routes to the island. Here’s what vacationers have to know.

This story has been up to date with new data since its authentic publication date.

Which airways have suspended flights to Cuba?

Several Canadian carriers have quickly suspended all flights to Cuba. Air Canada and Air Transat have each halted flights to Cuba till not less than May 1, 2026. WestJet has additionally suspended its Cuba-bound companies, however has not but introduced when flights may resume.

All three Canadian airways are issuing automated refunds to vacationers with canceled flights. For clients already in Cuba, the carriers have been capable of prepare particular flights for his or her return journeys. The final of these departed on February 18.

Which airways are nonetheless working flights to Cuba?

US airways, together with American Airlines, Southwest, and Delta, are at the moment working their flights to Havana and different locations on the island. That’s as a result of most US flights to Cuba are operated out of Florida, which is a brief sufficient distance for the planes to make it there and again while not having to refuel.

Southwest Airlines continues to function one flight per day from Tampa, Florida to Havana. “Due to the current status of aviation fuel in Cuba, Southwest Airlines is requiring aircraft that fly to Havana to carry enough fuel to also fly to their next destination,” a spokesperson tells Traveler through e-mail. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”

Mexico City-based provider Aeromexico additionally continues to function its flights to Cuba for related causes. Spanish airline Iberia will proceed to fly its Madrid-to-Havana route by including a refueling cease within the Dominican Republic; the provider additionally issued a travel waiver so passengers can delay their journey dates by means of the top of March at no additional cost.

American Airlines is continuous to function all of its routes to Cuba, but it surely’s trimming its flight schedule from Miami. “As part of the continued evaluation of our operation in Cuba, we are reducing our Miami (MIA)-Havana (HAV) service between February 19 and March 28 from six to up to five daily flights,” an airline spokesperson advised Traveler in an emailed assertion. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make additional adjustments as necessary.”

Is it protected to journey to Cuba proper now?

Aside from jet gasoline shortages, Cuba is experiencing lengthy strains for gasoline and frequent energy outages on account of the US oil blockade. In many elements of the nation, important infrastructure will not be secure, which has led nations like Canada and the UK to advise their residents to keep away from journey to Cuba if potential.

An alert from the US Embassy in Cuba warns US vacationers of the gasoline shortages and advises them to be ready for extended energy outages. However, the US State Department has maintained its routine Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution travel advisory initially issued in May 2025.