WestJet, Transat Halt Cuba Flights Over Fuel Shortage

WestJet Airlines and Transat have suspended flights to Cuba after authorities warned carriers they would be unable to refuel at Havana’s José Martí International Airport for at least one month. The move follows Air Canada’s decision earlier this week to halt service, leaving three major Canadian airlines suspending operations to the island. The restriction affects Cuba’s main international gateway and disrupts a key winter leisure market for Canadian carriers. Airlines are now focused on repatriating passengers and adjusting schedules.

Cuban authorities notified airlines on Feb. 8 that jet fuel would not be available in Havana beginning this week. Air Canada announced Feb. 9 that it would immediately suspend flights. WestJet and Air Transat initially planned to continue operating using contingency measures, including technical stops outside Cuba for refueling. Both carriers later reversed course, citing operational complexity and uncertainty, and joined Air Canada in suspending service.

WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, said it has begun scaling down operations and is sending aircraft without passengers to retrieve customers currently in Cuba. “All aircraft sent to Cuba will carry sufficient fuel to depart safely without relying on local fuel availability,” the Calgary-based airline said. The carrier did not specify a timeline for resuming service. It added that customer reaccommodation and refunds are being processed under existing policies.

Transat said it will suspend all flights to Cuba through April 30 and is arranging return travel for affected customers. The Montreal-based leisure airline is offering flexibility for travelers with existing bookings. It did not outline additional capacity adjustments beyond the suspension window. Cuba represents between 10% and 15% of Transat’s winter capacity, according to TD Cowen analyst Tim James, making the disruption material for seasonal revenue and load factors during peak demand months.

Energy Shortages and Tourism Decline

The aviation disruption is linked to Cuba’s broader fuel and energy constraints. In early January, the United States cut off fuel shipments from Venezuela, a key supplier to the island, and threatened tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba. The measures have intensified pressure on energy supplies and foreign currency reserves. Havana has responded by reducing public transportation routes, shortening office hours and shifting some university classes online to conserve resources.

Cuba’s electrical union reported that generation capacity would cover less than half of peak demand — approximately 3,100 megawatts — on a recent evening, reflecting continued power shortfalls. Blackouts and fuel scarcity have disrupted commercial activity, including tourism operations and hotel services. The Canadian government updated its travel advisory, urging caution due to “worsening shortages of electricity, fuel and essential goods such as food, water and medicine, which may also affect resorts.” The advisory added that the situation is “unpredictable and could deteriorate.”

Tourism remains one of Cuba’s primary sources of hard currency, and Canada is among its largest inbound markets. However, visitor numbers have declined sharply in recent years. Arrivals fell 18% last year compared with 2024 levels and remain 62% below the 2018 peak of 4.7 million travelers. Prolonged blackouts, supply shortages and deteriorating infrastructure have weakened service reliability and dampened demand.

Geopolitical tensions continue to shape the operating environment. On Jan. 29, President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on countries supplying petroleum to Cuba, escalating economic pressure on the island. Russia has accused the United States of “strangling” Cuba and said it is evaluating measures to provide support. 

Diverging Responses From Regional Carriers

While Canadian airlines have suspended service, Mexican carriers are maintaining operations using alternative fueling strategies. Aeroméxico confirmed its Mexico City–Havana route remains active. “Our service between Mexico City and Havana will continue operating, and if there is any change, it will be communicated,” the airline said.  The company reported no immediate adjustments to frequency or capacity but stated that it is monitoring developments closely.

Low-cost carrier Viva said it will ensure continuity by fueling aircraft in Mexico with sufficient reserves to complete round-trip flights. The airline is implementing fuel tankering on services from Felipe Ángeles International Airport, Monterrey, Merida and Cancun. “Our aircraft will load sufficient fuel in Mexico to continue operating flights without disruption,” Viva said, adding that passengers will not experience “any impact on their itineraries.”