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Air Transat announced this Wednesday that it is extending the suspension of its flights to Cuba until the end of October 2026, canceling the 129 flights to four Cuban destinations that were scheduled between June 20 —the date on which the previous suspension was set to expire— and the end of the season.
The decision is part of a overall reduction of 6% in its operational capacity between May and October, which also affects routes to Europe and the Caribbean, and occurs within a context of extreme increases in aviation fuel prices globally, according to City News.
The Canadian airline, owned by Transat A.T. Inc., had planned to resume its operations to the island on June 20, but the ongoing energy crisis in both Cuba and international markets forced a postponement of that date by four more months. This situation is part of a broader landscape in which eleven airlines have suspended flights to Cuba so far in 2026.
Among the factors that have worsened the situation on the island, the lack of Jet A-1 fuel at nine international airports stands out, a structural issue that has hindered the operation of commercial flights normally. In addition, there was the seizure in February of the tanker Skipper with 1.1 million barrels, a direct blow to the island's energy supply.
The impact on tourism has been significant: Cuba received 112,000 fewer visitors in the early months of 2026, a decline that is also reflected in a hotel occupancy rate that fell to 18.9%, figures that highlight the accelerated deterioration of the sector.
In the midst of this situation, not all news is negative for air connectivity with Cuba: Flair Airlines was authorized on April 8 by the Canadian Transport Agency to operate flights to the island. However, other companies continue to withdraw: Sunwing has extended its suspension until October 9, joining the widespread trend of stepping back from the Cuban market.
"The recent volatility in aviation fuel prices reflects an exceptional environment affecting the entire sector. We are closely monitoring the situation as cost pressures continue to be felt throughout the industry," the airline stated in a communiqué.
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