Ten Cuban airports have official notices of unavailability of Jet A-1 fuel until 04:00 UTC on November 1, 2026, according to the current NOTAM list from the Cuban Air Navigation Company (ECNA), verified on October 11. The restriction prolongs a supply crisis that has impacted commercial aviation since February and has forced numerous international airlines to suspend, reduce, or modify their operations to the island.
The notices A3459 to A3468/26, available in the Cuban official aeronautical information system, include the warning "JET A1 FUEL NOT AVBL," which means that Jet A-1 fuel is not available for refueling.
The ten NOTAM went into effect on September 30, between 00:31 and 00:34 UTC, and replace the previous series A3054 to A3063/26, which was set to expire on October 1. The new documents extend the restriction throughout October.
The ten affected Cuban airports
The lack of availability of aviation fuel includes the following terminals:
- Havana: José Martí International Airport (MUHA), NOTAM A3459/26.
- Varadero: Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport (MUVR), NOTAM A3460/26.
- Cienfuegos: Jaime González Airport (MUCF), NOTAM A3461/26.
- Santa Clara: Abel Santamaría International Airport (MUSC), NOTAM A3462/26.
- Camagüey: Ignacio Agramonte International Airport (MUCM), NOTAM A3463/26.
- Cayo Coco: International Airport Jardines del Rey (MUCC), NOTAM A3464/26.
- Holguín: Frank País International Airport (MUHG), NOTAM A3465/26.
- Santiago de Cuba: Antonio Maceo International Airport (MUCU), NOTAM A3466/26.
- Manzanillo: Sierra Maestra Airport (MUMZ), NOTAM A3467/26.
- Cayo Largo: Vilo Acuña International Airport (MUCL), NOTAM A3468/26.
The final date of November 1 does not guarantee the restoration of supply. NOTAMs may be replaced, modified, or canceled as the operational situation evolves.
The warning does not mean that the ten airports are closed or that all flights have been canceled. Its specific scope is the unavailability of Jet A-1 fuel to supply aircraft at those facilities.
A crisis that dates back to February 2026
The current phase of fuel restrictions at Cuban airports began to be documented in early February 2026, when aviation authorities issued notices declaring the unavailability of Jet A-1 at nine international terminals.
On February 9, CiberCuba reported on the NOTAMs that initially established a month without fuel for aircraft, from 05:00 UTC on February 10 to 05:00 UTC on March 11. Among those notices was A0356/26, corresponding to José Martí Airport in Havana.
The restriction then affected Havana, Varadero, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Camagüey, Cayo Coco, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, and Manzanillo.
The issue was not resolved as the initial deadline approached. At the beginning of March, the authorities extended the notices until April 10, prolonging the difficulties for companies that needed to refuel in Cuban territory.
The extensions continued during the following months. By September, the list had grown to ten airports with the addition of Cayo Largo. A series of NOTAMs published at that time set October 1 as the new deadline.
The notices in effect since September 30 extend the restriction once again, this time until November 1. Thus, the lack of availability of aviation fuel continues to be documented eight months after the initial notices in February.
The crisis forced the suspension of flights and the reorganization of international routes
The consequences for the airlines began to manifest immediately after the first official announcements.
On February 9, Air Canada announced the suspension of its flights to Cuba due to a shortage of aviation fuel. The company organized special operations to pick up around 3,000 passengers who were on the island and transport them back to Canada.
Other companies initially chose to maintain their flights by making technical stops to refuel outside of Cuba.
Air Europa, for example, announced supply stops in Santo Domingo for certain flights between Havana and Madrid. The measure allowed operations to continue, although it involved modifying itineraries and increasing the duration of the trips.
The prolongation of the crisis ultimately affected companies from various markets. In April, a report published by the specialized portal Reportur and referenced by CiberCuba tallied eleven airlines that had suspended services to Cuba in 2026, including Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Air France, Turkish Airlines, Rossiya, and Nordwind.
The difficulties also affected Spain, one of the main source markets for travelers to Cuba.
Iberia suspended its direct route from Madrid to Havana on June 1, after progressively reducing its frequencies and operating for months with technical stops for refueling outside Cuban territory.
In August, Iberiaextended the suspension of its direct flights to Havana until June 30, 2027, as it believed that the existing conditions significantly impacted both demand and the viability of the operation.
The loss and reorganization of international connections has posed another challenge for Cuban tourism, one of the island's main sources of foreign currency.
How are flights still arriving in Cuba if there is no fuel to refuel?
The shortage of Jet A-1 at Cuban airports does not necessarily prevent aircraft from landing and taking off.
One of the alternatives used by some airlines is to load additional fuel at the departure airport to complete the return journey without needing to refuel in Cuba.
This option may be viable for certain short-distance routes, such as some connections with Florida, Mexico, or Caribbean countries. In contrast, long-distance flights may require a technical stop to refuel in a third country.
The additional stops increase operating costs and can lead to changes in schedules, longer travel times, and adjustments in passenger connections.
The viability of each route depends, among other factors, on the type of aircraft, the distance, the cargo being transported, and the fuel margins required for safe operation.
What travelers should check before flying to Cuba
Passengers planning to travel to Cuba should confirm directly with the airline operating their flight whether the itinerary remains intact and if there are any changes to the schedules or layovers.
It is also advisable to check the conditions for the return journey, especially when the trip includes international connections or tickets purchased from different companies.
The NOTAMs in effect until November 1 do not identify specific canceled flights nor establish a definitive date for the normalization of supply. Future fuel availability must be confirmed through new aviation notices or operational information from airport authorities and airlines.
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