Air Transat Suspends Cuba Flights Through April 30, 2026 Citing Fuel Shortage

Air Transat announced a temporary halt to all flights to Cuba through April 30, 2026, saying the move responds to an anticipated aviation fuel shortage at Cuban airports and rapid developments over recent hours. The suspension affects all bookings for travel to Cuba scheduled between February 11 and April 30, 2026, and the airline says it will prioritize returning passengers currently on the island.

“Due to a jet fuel shortage announced by Cuban authorities and the recent evolution of the situation, Air Transat is temporarily suspending all flights to Cuba until April 30, 2026,” the carrier said in its advisory quoted by Travelmarketreport. The advisory added that “Depending on how the situation evolves, flights to Cuba may resume as early as May 1, 2026. Air Transat will continue to closely monitor developments and will provide timely updates as new information becomes available.”

Air Transat is organizing repatriation operations for customers in Cuba, using scheduled services and additional flights arranged over the coming days. “The aircraft deployed for these operations will carry the necessary fuel to operate these flights,” the airline said in a corporate statement. The carrier also told customers, “We understand that this situation may be worrying and want to assure you that our top priority is bringing you home.”

Practical next steps for travellers: all affected bookings for travel between February 11 and April 30 will be automatically cancelled and refunded to the original form of payment on file. “No action is required from customers,” the airline said. Credit card refunds are generally processed within a few days, but depending on the bank, it may take up to two weeks for the amount to appear on accounts. Passengers currently in Cuba have been advised to check their emails and the Air Transat mobile app regularly; on-site representative teams and a destination assistance phone line are available and have been reported as 00 80 04 24 33 for immediate support.

The suspension follows similar moves by other Canadian carriers. Air Canada and WestJet have also halted or reduced service to Cuba while arranging repatriation flights; The Toronto Star reports “Approximately 3,000 Air Canada customers in Cuba are awaiting return flights.” Travelmarketreport characterized Air Transat as having “become the last of the big Canadian operators” to announce a suspension. Deutsche Welle reported that Cuban authorities warned jet fuel would be unavailable at airports beginning February 10 through March 11, which carriers cited when deciding to pause operations.

For travellers and community members, the immediate priorities are tracking airline communications, confirming refunds, and noting repatriation messages from on-site teams. Air Transat says it will reach out directly to customers in destination with return-flight details. Expect ongoing updates as airlines and Cuban authorities monitor fuel availability and work to restore regular service in late spring if conditions permit.