Air Europa extends Santo Domingo refuelling stop for Havana-Madrid until 11 March

Air Europa announced on 25 February 2026 that flights between Havana’s José Martí International (HAV) and Madrid will be required to make a technical refuelling stop at Las Américas (SDQ) in Santo Domingo for travel “between 10 February and 11 March inclusive.” The airline said operations remain confirmed but will include adjustments that add the SDQ stop.

The carrier’s customer notice, last updated on its site on 23 February 2026, states: “Due to a fuel shortage at José Martí International Airport (HAV), if you are travelling from Havana to Madrid between 10 February and 11 March inclusive, we would like to inform you that, although our operations are confirmed, there will be some adjustments to flights and a technical stopover for refuelling in Santo Domingo (SDQ) will be necessary.” The notice adds: “We apologise for any inconvenience this situation, which is beyond Air Europa's control, may cause you.”

Passengers holding tickets issued up to and including 9 February with flights up to 15 March are offered options: “Date change (flight operated by Air Europa): Free of charge in the same cabin from today until 15 April 2026, inclusive.” For travelers without set dates, the airline provides a voucher option: “If you do not know your travel dates, we offer you the option of saving the ticket price to use as credit for a future purchase (valid for any destination operated by Air Europa, non refundable).”

Air Europa operates flight UX052 on the Havana–Madrid rotation, with that service scheduled to depart Havana at 9:05 p.m.; earlier reporting showed similar departures listed at 9:05 p.m. local time with adjusted arrivals into Madrid around 1:35 p.m. the following day, reflecting the added stop in Santo Domingo and longer block times.

The operational change responds to Cuban aviation notifications that have warned international carriers of depleted Jet A-1 supplies. A NOTAM carried the stark phrasing “JET A1 FUEL NOT AVBL,” and reporting has named Havana, Varadero, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey and Santa Clara among affected airports, while other notices reference as many as nine international airports facing shortages.

Other carriers have taken differing measures. Iberia and Air Europa confirmed mandatory refuelling at SDQ on Havana–Madrid services, Air Canada temporarily suspended flights to Cuba, and several Latin American carriers have adopted technical stops or tankering. An American Airlines spokesperson noted airline-specific capability differences: “Our aircraft operating flights to Cuba can carry sufficient fuel to complete the return leg.”

Aviation analysts warn these workarounds increase operating costs, flight times and logistical complexity and are difficult to sustain if the fuel shortage persists. The contingency of adding Santo Domingo refuelling is intended to prevent aircraft from becoming stranded on the island while fuel supplies at José Martí remain uncertain.