Jet Fuel Panic Hits Cuba Airports

Cuba’s government is now warning airlines they won’t be able to refuel on the island—an extraordinary breakdown that shows how quickly the regime’s Venezuela-dependent energy pipeline can collapse under U.S. pressure.

Quick Take

Cuban aviation authorities issued a formal notice that jet fuel will be unavailable for commercial refueling starting Feb. 10, with the outage expected to run through March 11.
Air Canada suspended flights and planned empty aircraft to retrieve roughly 3,000 customers already on the island, highlighting the immediate tourism hit.
Havana rolled out emergency austerity steps: reduced bank hours, halted public bus service in the capital, and suspended major cultural events.
The fuel crunch intensified after U.S. actions cut off Venezuelan oil flows and after President Trump ordered tariff penalties targeting countries that supply Cuba with oil.

Jet fuel outage triggers immediate airline disruption

Cuban aviation officials issued a Notice to Airmen stating jet fuel will not be available for commercial aircraft refueling at the island’s airports beginning Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Reporting indicates the notice projects the shortage lasting through March 11, although some coverage also cautions the date could change because Cuban officials have not clearly committed to an end point. Airlines immediately began contingency planning as routes to and from Cuba depend on reliable on-island refueling.

Air Canada moved first, suspending flights to Cuba after the fuel warning and arranging empty southbound flights to bring home about 3,000 customers already on the island. That decision illustrates the operational reality: when an airport cannot provide fuel, carriers either cancel service or build longer, costlier flight plans that include refueling elsewhere. Some reporting suggested regional carriers could attempt refueling stops in places like Cancun or the Dominican Republic, but no broad solution has been confirmed.

Emergency rationing spreads beyond airports into daily life

Cuba’s jet fuel shortage is landing on top of an existing nationwide energy crisis, and the government’s response has extended well beyond aviation. Officials announced a fuel-rationing plan and then expanded it into society-wide restrictions: reduced operating hours at banks, a shortened work week for state-run enterprises, and reduced in-person hours for schools and universities. Havana also suspended cultural events, including the Havana International Book Fair, underscoring the severity of the conservation drive.

Transportation is one of the clearest pressure points. Reporting indicated public bus service in Havana was effectively halted, while private taxi fares spiked sharply overnight, raising costs for ordinary residents trying to get to work, buy necessities, or access services. Cuba’s power grid has also been described as fragile, with outages already lasting up to 10 hours in some areas. With less fuel available to generate electricity and move goods, the risk of deeper blackouts and supply interruptions grows.

Why the supply shock is different this time

Cuba has lived under U.S. sanctions for decades, but multiple reports describe the current disruption as a qualitative escalation because it simultaneously removed a primary supplier and deterred secondary suppliers. Cuba historically relied heavily on petroleum from Venezuela, and reporting ties the current cutoff to U.S. actions that blocked Venezuelan oil exports after major political changes there in late 2025. By mid-December 2025, Cuba reportedly stopped receiving Venezuelan crude and refined products.

President Trump then added a second layer of pressure: an executive order threatening tariffs on goods from any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. That approach aims to reduce Havana’s ability to replace Venezuelan supply through partners such as Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly opposed the U.S. pressure campaign and sent humanitarian aid ships, while also exploring ways to support Cuba without triggering penalties. Russia also acknowledged the situation as “critical” and discussed possible assistance with Cuban officials.

Tourism revenue, migration pressures, and the bigger regional picture

Cuba’s tourism sector has been described as a cornerstone of the economy, with reporting citing roughly $3 billion in annual tourism revenue in past years. A month-long jet fuel outage—paired with flight suspensions—threatens bookings, forces hotels to consolidate, and puts tourism jobs at risk. Reports noted hotels with low occupancy were being closed and visitors relocated, especially toward established tourist hubs such as Varadero, an indicator that officials expect a sustained demand shock.

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For Americans watching the region, the story is also a reminder of how energy dependence and centralized state control can create rapid, cascading failures when supply chains break. Cuba’s leaders have publicly condemned U.S. policy while also signaling they are willing to talk, but not “under pressure.” What remains unclear is whether fuel availability will normalize after March 11 or whether shortages will persist in waves. Without confirmed replacement supplies, Cuba’s transportation, electricity, and food distribution systems remain exposed.