Havana Flights Grounded as Cuba’s Jet Fuel Reserves Run Dry

HAVANA / PARIS — The “Pearl of the Antilles” is facing its most severe transportation crisis in decades. Air France has officially announced the suspension of its flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Havana (HAV), effective March 29, 2026. The move comes as Cuba’s aviation sector grinds to a halt under the weight of a catastrophic national fuel shortage.

1. The Logistics of a “Dry” Runway

The decision was made after weeks of costly and complex workarounds.

• The Bahamas Stop: Currently, Air France flights are unable to refuel in Havana. Instead, return journeys to Paris are forced to make a technical stop in the Bahamas just to take on enough fuel to cross the Atlantic.
• The Cut-off Date: The final scheduled flight will depart Paris on March 28. Air France has stated it hopes to resume service on June 15, but this remains strictly contingent on the stabilization of Cuba’s fuel supply.
• A Growing List: Air France is not alone. Air Canada has already suspended its entire summer season to Cuba through November, while Rossiya and Nordwind have halted services after repatriating thousands of tourists earlier this month.

2. Why the Fuel Disappeared

The shortage is the result of a “perfect storm” of geopolitical and local factors:

• The Venezuela Link: Traditionally, Cuba relied on subsidized oil from Venezuela. However, following the US-led military action in Venezuela and the arrest of its leadership in early January, that supply line has vanished.
• The Trump Embargo: Re-tightened US sanctions and threats of tariffs on any nation shipping oil to Cuba have successfully deterred alternative suppliers, leaving the island’s nine international airports with empty tanks.
• Refinery Fire: A major fire at Havana’s Nico López refinery in mid-February further crippled the island’s ability to process what little crude remained.

3. The Impact: Tourism and “The Bridge to Europe”

The suspension is more than a commercial setback; for many, it is a severed lifeline.

• The European Gateway: For Cubans, Air France was a vital “bridge” to Europe. With US routes largely restricted, the loss of the Paris connection leaves many citizens with almost no way to travel internationally.
• Tourism Shock: Tourism is Cuba’s second-largest source of foreign currency. With major airlines pulling out during the peak spring season, the industry is “withering” alongside the country’s power grid, which has seen millions left in the dark this week.

FN24 Analysis: We are witnessing a de facto blockade by circumstance. While some airlines like American Airlines and Southwest continue to fly from Florida by “tankering” (carrying enough fuel for both legs of the trip), long-haul carriers simply cannot carry that weight over the Atlantic. Without a diplomatic breakthrough or an emergency fuel shipment, Havana’s Jose Martí Airport risks becoming a ghost town.

FN24 Traveller’s Advisory

If you have bookings for Cuba this spring, the situation is volatile:

• Air France Customers: The airline is offering full refunds, travel vouchers, or rebookings to alternative destinations in the Caribbean.
• On-the-Ground Reality: Travelers currently in Cuba are reporting severe difficulties with internal transport and widespread blackouts. If your airline suspends service while you are on the island, contact your local embassy immediately for repatriation options.