Toronto—Air Canada abruptly halted all passenger service to Cuba on February 9, 2026, citing a government NOTAM that jet fuel will be unavailable island-wide from February 10. The carrier will dispatch empty aircraft to repatriate roughly 3,000 travellers and is offering full refunds or free re-booking for future departures.
The fuel crisis comes days after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on any nation selling petroleum to Havana, a move that has already curbed Mexican fuel shipments. Cuba’s tourism ministry warned foreign airlines last week to “tanker” extra fuel or face diversions. WestJet and Air Transat said they will continue flights using technical stops, while the Canadian government updated its travel advisory to warn of rolling power cuts, fuel shortages and transportation breakdowns.
![Air Canada suspends Cuba flights after fuel shortage and new U.S. oil-sanctions pressure]()
Why it matters for U.S. mobility: although American carriers ceased scheduled Cuba service under 2025 sanctions, thousands of U.S. executives and compliance staff reach the island via Canada or third-country charters under Treasury Department general-licence categories. Air Canada’s exit closes the most convenient routing from many U.S. hubs—forcing travellers onto costlier, multi-stop itineraries, or delaying urgent maintenance trips linked to the Mariel free-trade zone and telecom upgrades.
For travelers scrambling to adjust itineraries or secure the correct paperwork as routes shift, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The service tracks the latest OFAC general-license requirements and can arrange visas, tourist cards, and transit documentation for multistop routings via Canada, Mexico, or the Bahamas—saving critical time when alternative seats open up. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/
Companies with Cuba-based projects should review contingency plans: 1) secure seats on remaining carriers able to tanker fuel; 2) pre-book charter options from Mexico or the Bahamas; and 3) ensure travellers carry adequate supplies amid widespread shortages. Mobility teams should also monitor White House tariff negotiations, as broader secondary sanctions could further disrupt regional air links.
The fuel crisis comes days after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on any nation selling petroleum to Havana, a move that has already curbed Mexican fuel shipments. Cuba’s tourism ministry warned foreign airlines last week to “tanker” extra fuel or face diversions. WestJet and Air Transat said they will continue flights using technical stops, while the Canadian government updated its travel advisory to warn of rolling power cuts, fuel shortages and transportation breakdowns.
Why it matters for U.S. mobility: although American carriers ceased scheduled Cuba service under 2025 sanctions, thousands of U.S. executives and compliance staff reach the island via Canada or third-country charters under Treasury Department general-licence categories. Air Canada’s exit closes the most convenient routing from many U.S. hubs—forcing travellers onto costlier, multi-stop itineraries, or delaying urgent maintenance trips linked to the Mariel free-trade zone and telecom upgrades.
For travelers scrambling to adjust itineraries or secure the correct paperwork as routes shift, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The service tracks the latest OFAC general-license requirements and can arrange visas, tourist cards, and transit documentation for multistop routings via Canada, Mexico, or the Bahamas—saving critical time when alternative seats open up. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/
Companies with Cuba-based projects should review contingency plans: 1) secure seats on remaining carriers able to tanker fuel; 2) pre-book charter options from Mexico or the Bahamas; and 3) ensure travellers carry adequate supplies amid widespread shortages. Mobility teams should also monitor White House tariff negotiations, as broader secondary sanctions could further disrupt regional air links.
