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Cuban Airports to Experience Jet Fuel Shortage Until April

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 by Ethan Navarro

Cuban Airports to Experience Jet Fuel Shortage Until April
Jardines del Rey International Airport - Image © Facebook/Jardines del Rey International Airport

Cuba's international airports will remain without jet fuel availability until at least April 10, according to an official notice from the island's aviation authorities.

The agency EFE reported that a Notam message, which is directed at pilots and air traffic controllers, confirms that the shortage of Jet A1 kerosene affects all the country's international terminals and will persist for an additional month.

The coded notice states "JET A1 FUEL NOT AVBL" and can be found in the United States Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) database.

This notification impacts major airports across Cuba, including Havana's José Martí, Varadero's Juan Gualberto Gómez, Santa Clara's Abel Santamaría, Camagüey's Ignacio Agramonte, Holguín's Frank País, and Santiago de Cuba's Antonio Maceo, among others.

The fuel shortage was initially announced on February 10, leading to temporary flight cancellations by Canadian and Russian airlines.

Other carriers, such as those from Spain, Mexico, and Panama, have opted to make technical stops in third countries for refueling or to decrease their flight frequencies.

This scarcity poses yet another hurdle for Cuba's tourism industry, a crucial source of foreign currency for the island, which is already experiencing a continuous decline in visitor numbers.

According to EFE, the extension of this notice comes amid the country's energy pressures following the disruption of Venezuelan oil supplies and warnings from former U.S. President Donald Trump about potential sanctions on countries shipping crude to Cuba.

The island generates only about a third of its energy requirements and relies heavily on imports to meet the rest, amid severe financial and operational constraints.

... Story in development ...

Impact of Cuba's Jet Fuel Shortage

How long will Cuban airports be without jet fuel?

Cuban airports are expected to remain without jet fuel until at least April 10.

Which airports in Cuba are affected by the fuel shortage?

Major airports including José Martí in Havana, Juan Gualberto Gómez in Varadero, and others across the island are affected.

What impact does the fuel shortage have on tourism?

The shortage adds to the challenges faced by Cuba's tourism sector, which is already seeing a decline in visitor numbers.

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