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Air Europa confirmed that it will continue its three weekly flights on the Madrid–Havana route, although it acknowledged that it is evaluating the situation on the island, according to statements from the airline reported by OK DIARIO.
The company thus becomes the only Spanish airline that will maintain a direct connection with Cuba in June 2026.
From Madrid, only Air Europa and Air China —on their Beijing–Madrid–Havana route, on Wednesdays and Saturdays— operate direct flights to the island this month. The lack of availability has driven prices up: a one-way ticket from Cuba on Air Europa can exceed $2,000.
"We will continue with three weekly flights," stated the airline, referring to its schedules on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays on the Madrid–Havana route.
Air Europa's stance comes amidst an unprecedented exodus of Spanish airlines and tourism companies.
Iberia suspended its direct route from Madrid to Havana on June 1, after gradually reducing its frequencies since April. The airline described the decision as one that "exclusively affects Cuba, due to its exceptional situation," and did not rule out a possible return in November if conditions improve.
World2Fly, part of the Iberostar group, operated its last flight on May 20, and Cubana de Aviación canceled its only connection with Spain on May 12, citing risks arising from the Executive Order signed by Trump on May 1, 2026.
To maintain its operations, Air Europa has been forced to make technical stopovers for refueling outside of Cuba. The stopovers will take place in Santo Domingo until June 12 and in Punta Cana from June 13 until at least July 1.
The cause is the shortage of Jet A-1 fuel on the island, officially announced on February 9 with NOTAM A0356/26, which alerted about the unavailability of fuel at nine Cuban international airports.
The origin of the energy crisis is the interruption of Venezuelan oil supplies, which accounted for two-thirds of Cuba's imports, worsened by the sanctions from the Trump administration and the cessation of shipments from Pemex. Cuba only produces about 40,000 of the 110,000 barrels per day it needs.
In parallel, hotel chains Meliá abandoned 15 hotels in Cuba and Iberostar confirmed its exit from 12 establishments linked to the military conglomerate GAESA, in compliance with the deadline set by Executive Order 14404 from Trump.
The impact on Cuban tourism is devastating. In the first quarter of 2026, the island received only 328,608 international visitors, a year-on-year drop of 55.8%, with hotel occupancy plummeting to 18.9%.
At least 11 international airlines have suspended flights to Cuba so far in 2026, with over 1,700 flights canceled.
Air Canada has postponed its return to Cuba until November 1, 2026, while Air Transat has halted flight sales from mid-June to late October, indicating that air connectivity with the island will remain very limited in the coming months.
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