U.S. sanctions trigger jet fuel shortage in Cuba, forcing airlines to reroute or suspend flights

Airlines operating to Cuba are no longer able to refuel on the island as of 10 February, following a severe jet fuel shortage linked to tightened U.S. sanctions on oil exports from Venezuela.

Cuban authorities informed carriers that no jet fuel would be available until at least 11 March. The shortage stems from Washington’s decision to block Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, combined with additional measures allowing the U.S. to impose tariffs on countries continuing to supply oil to the island. As a result, alternative supplies — including from Mexico — have also dried up.

Spanish carriers Iberia and Air Europa are maintaining operations but are now making technical fuel stops in Santo Domingo instead of refuelling in Cuba.

Meanwhile, Air Canada has temporarily suspended passenger services to the island. The carrier is operating empty aircraft to repatriate stranded tourists, a significant move given that Canadian visitors represent the largest share of Cuba’s current tourism market.

There are currently no direct scheduled passenger flights from Belgium or the Netherlands to Cuba.

The fuel crisis adds further pressure to Cuba’s already weakened tourism sector, which has struggled to recover since the COVID-19 pandemic. With visitor numbers having dropped from roughly five million annually to around 1.5 million, aviation connectivity to the island is now facing yet another setback.