Air Europa will move its technical refueling stop from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana this Saturday on its Madrid–Havana route, as confirmed by the Spanish airline to the specialized media Preferente.
The company has been conducting technical stops outside Cuba since February 2026, when the island issued NOTAM A0356/26 alerting of the unavailability of Jet A-1 fuel at nine Cuban international airports, including José Martí in Havana.
Until Friday, June 12, the stopover was taking place in Santo Domingo; starting this Saturday, the Boeing 787 of the airline will make the refueling stop in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. The change will be in effect at least until July 1.
Air Europa maintains its flight schedule to Cuba
Company sources confirmed to Preferente: "We maintain the three weekly flights." However, they admitted that "we are constantly assessing" the situation on the island.
Amid the pressures from the United States on foreign companies operating on the island, Air Europa is currently the only Spanish airline maintaining flights to Cuba, following the departure of Iberia, World2Fly, and Cubana de Aviación.
From Madrid, only Air Europa and Air China —on its Beijing–Madrid–Havana route— offer direct flights to the island this month. The limited availability has driven prices up: a one-way ticket from Cuba on Air Europa can exceed 2,000 dollars.
At least 11 international airlines have suspended flights to Cuba in 2026, with over 1,700 trips canceled.
Iberia suspended its route on June 1st, characterizing the decision as one that "exclusively affects Cuba, due to its exceptional situation."
World2Fly operated its last flight on May 20, and Cubana de Aviación canceled its only link to Spain on May 12.
Air Europa, which currently remains the last direct air bridge between Spain and Cuba, acknowledges that the situation is still under constant monitoring.
Filed under: