The Cuban authorities issued a warning on Monday 9 February. There is no more paraffin at Havana International Airport in Cuba. This situation is expected to last for at least a month. And this is forcing the airline industry to take action to find alternative solutions.
The energy crisis, present since 2025 with the return of Donald Trump to power in the United States, is worsening dramatically in Cuba. The recent American intervention in Venezuela has cut Cuba off from its main source of energy supplies. The Trump administration immediately banned oil exports to the Caribbean island. It also threatened any country circumventing the embargo with sanctions and higher customs duties.
As a result, Cuba has had to adopt drastic restrictions on the use of fuel. Only key sectors will continue to be supplied. Of course, tourism and air transport are considered to be important parts of the economy, as they are sources of foreign currency. But for air travel, there are alternatives.
For long-haul flights, this means a stopover on another Caribbean island. Air France now does this in the Bahamas. Iberia and Air Europa fill their fuel tanks in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, while Turkish Airlines has finally chosen Cancun in Mexico. While European carriers can fly non-stop to Cuba, they automatically have to refuel on the return flight. With consequent delays.
Travellers transiting through Mexico, however, are not affected, as the flight distances allow them to make a round trip without difficulty with sufficient fuel in the hold. Canadian airlines have nevertheless decided to suspend their flights to the island at least until the end of April.
Hotels also affected
On the tourism front, the authorities have started to group visitors together in hotels in order to reduce energy consumption. Some resorts outside Havana have had to close their doors and relocate guests. Tourist resorts are having to cope not only with the lack of fuel, but also with challenges relating to transport logistics, the stability of the electricity supply and supply chain constraints.
Given the energy situation on the island, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website advises travellers to contact their travel agency, tour operator or accommodation provider to check availability of resources. They should also check with their airline for any flight changes.
(Updated 10/02/2026)
