Canada’s two largest airlines have now suspended service to Cuba as fuel shortages at the island’s airports continue to disrupt travel during the peak winter season.
The move means no more flights from Cuba’s number one tourism source market, Canada.
Air Canada confirmed it has halted all flights to Cuba effective immediately, citing worsening conditions and government advisories warning that aviation fuel supplies at Cuban airports have become unreliable. The airline said fuel is expected to be unavailable for commercial use beginning February 10.
WestJet is also responding to the developing situation, aligning its decision with the latest travel advisory from Global Affairs Canada, which continues to urge travelers to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Cuba due to fuel shortages and potential disruptions to essential services.
Airlines Focus on Getting Travelers Home
Both airlines say their immediate priority is returning travelers already in Cuba back to Canada.
Air Canada said it will operate empty flights southbound over the coming days to pick up approximately 3,000 customers currently on the island, most of whom are traveling on Air Canada Vacations packages. To complete those flights safely, the airline will carry additional fuel onboard aircraft and, if necessary, make technical refueling stops outside Cuba on the return journey.
WestJet said it will also begin departing Canada with empty aircraft to support the organized return of guests currently vacationing in Cuba. All aircraft dispatched by WestJet will carry enough fuel to depart Cuba without relying on local fuel availability, a move the airline says is intended to reduce strain on local resources.
WestJet Begins Wind-Down of Winter Cuba Operations
WestJet said it has decided to begin an orderly wind-down of its winter operations to Cuba, a move that includes WestJet, Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Québec.
The airline said the decision was made to protect guests and crew and maintain operational reliability as fuel shortages and service disruptions persist on the island.
What This Means for Future Trips
Air Canada Vacations is offering full refunds to customers whose Cuba flights were canceled. Affected travelers with scheduled departures will automatically receive a refund to their original form of payment and do not need to contact the company.
Customers currently in Cuba who booked Air Canada Vacations packages are being supported by local representatives on the ground, according to the airline.
WestJet has not announced a restart timeline and said it will continue to monitor conditions as the situation develops.
Air Canada’s Cuba Network on Pause
Before the suspension, Air Canada operated an average of 16 weekly flights to Cuba from Toronto and Montreal, serving destinations including Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguín, and Santa Clara.
Seasonal flights to Holguín and Santa Clara have been cancelled for the remainder of the season. Service to Varadero and Cayo Coco, typically operated year-round, is also suspended, with a tentative restart date of May 1 pending further review.
Aircraft normally assigned to Cuba routes are being redeployed to other destinations while the suspension remains in place.
Caribbean Journal Staff
2026-02-10 00:24:00