An insurmountable setback? No refuelling for airlines Feb. 10 - March 11 at nine of Cuba’s biggest airports

TORONTO — Cuba’s tourism comeback is in serious jeopardy following a NOTAM that effective tomorrow Feb. 10, international airlines will no longer be able refuel their aircraft at nine major airports on the island due to dwindling fuel supply.

Cuba’s biggest airport, José Martí International Airport in Havana, issued the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) last night, according to reports. The notice extends to key gateways including Havana, Holguin, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba and more, and will be in effect from Feb. 10 to March 11.

Air Canada spokesperson Christophe Hennebelle told Travelweek Group’s Profession Voyages that Air Canada’s flights from Canada to Cuba today “will not carry passengers and will be ferry flights only. Return flights from Cuba will carry passengers back to Canada as scheduled,” said Hennebelle. “We continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety and reliability of our operations for our passengers and crew and will share more information when it becomes available.”

The Canadian government has been advising Canadian travellers to Cuba to be aware of possible shortages of electricity, fuel and basic necessities including food, water, and medicine, which can also affect resorts. “The situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate, disrupting flight availability on short notice,” according to the federal government’s Cuba travel advice.

As of late last week, many travel advisors were telling Travelweek the immediate effect of the Cuba news cycle had been a spike in inquiries rather than a wave of lost bookings. Cuba has long been a favourite in the Canadian market, but consumer jitteriness resulting from the NOTAM could be tough to counter. Cuba was looking forward to its comeback for the winter 2025-2026 season after challenges with blackouts and supply shortages in recent years.

AIR CANADA VACATIONS

Major tour operators have triggered their flexible rebooking policy for travel to Cuba.

As reported over the weekend, Air Canada Vacations clients who have purchased a travel package to Cuba that includes an Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge flight on or before Feb. 5, 2026, for travel dates between Feb. 6 and Feb. 25, 2026, can modify their booking without incurring change fees and rebook for an alternate travel plan.

ACV is offering the following options for travel advisors …

Change the client’s travel date. To request this option, agents are asked to call ACV at 1-877-752-7710
Opt for a Future Travel Credit for the full amount, valid for 1 year. To request this option for clients, click here. The travel advisor can fill out the form on behalf of their client.
Customers at destination are advised to contact their local ACV rep with any questions or concerns.
Travel advisors with Group bookings are asked to contact their Groups coordinator.

ACV says it will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep the trade community informed of any new developments. The tour operator’s Facebook Inner Circle pages for travel advisors can be found here (EN) and here (FR).

“While our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our passengers at all times, we acknowledge the uncertainty that may exist at this time,” said the tour operator in a statement sent to trade partners Feb. 6.

ACV says travel advisors and travel industry partners can reach out to ACV with any inquiries. “Please know that we are here to support you. Should you have any questions over the weekend, our team remains available, and we will also continue to engage directly within our closed social groups to provide timely guidance and reassurance.”

ACV also encourages advisors to use the self-serve help options when possible, due to potentially higher call volumes.

ACV’s Cuba update in full can be found here.

AIR CANADA

Air Canada’s rebooking policy applies to Air Canada tickets purchased no later than Feb. 5, 2026 for travel Feb. 6 – 25, 2026, and includes a flight to or from Cayo Coco – Jardines del Rey Airport (CCC); Holguín – Frank País Airport (HOG); Santa Clara – Abel Santamaría Airport (SNU) or Varadero – Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport (VRA).

More info for Air Canada is here.

WESTJET

In a statement WestJet told Travelweek that it has activated its Flex Change / Cancel policy on its site, enabling guests with upcoming travel to Cuba to adjust their plans without penalty. Sunwing.ca has also been updated with flexible travel options for Sunwing Vacations guests.

“Our focus continues to remain on the safety of our guests and our WestJetters. It is also important to note, that all WestJet flights arrive in Cuba with sufficient fuel to safely depart Cuba,” said the company.

WestJet’s flexible rebooking policy applies for travel on or between Feb. 8 – 25, 2026, to/from: Havana, Cienfuegos, Cayo Largo del Sur, Cayo Coco, Varadero, Holguin and Santa Clara.

More WestJet details are here.

SUNWING VACATIONS

As part of the WestJet Group, Sunwing Vacations’ flexible rebooking policy also applies for travel for the next couple of weeks, between Feb. 9 – 25, 2026.

More Sunwing Vacations details are here.

TRANSAT

Air Transat has updated its Cuba travel advice and is now offering flexibility to all customers holding tickets to Cuba through April 30, 2026.

Departures from February 9 to 28, 2026 inclusive: Date or destination change with no penalty, OR full refund via same method of payment on file. Customers or travel agencies must submit a request using this form.

Departures from March 1 to April 30, 2026 inclusive: Change of date or destination without penalty, with issuance of a travel credit equal to the value of the original booking.

Says Air Transat: “Customers or travel agencies must submit a cancellation request to trigger the travel credit. It will be issued within 48 hours. Travellers may then rebook their vacation for any date and destination of their choice. The credit will remain valid for one year from the original return date. Customers or travel agencies must submit a request using the following form.”

Click here for more info from Air Transat.

Earlier Transat issued a list of closed hotels as of Feb 6, 2026 …

SNU (Cayo Santa Maria)

Valentin Perla Blanca

Sol Cayo Santa Maria

Melia Buenavista

CCC (Cayo Coco)

Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar

Gran Muthu Imperial Cayo Guillermo

Iberostar Origin Daiquiri

Tryp Cayo Coco

Hotel Mojito

VRA (Varadero)

Hotel El Patriarca

HOG (Holguin)

Gran Muthu Ensenada

HOLA SUN

Canada’s Cuba specialist, Hola Sun, has also posted rebooking information.

Existing bookings made on or before Feb. 9, 2026, for travel Feb. 9 – 28, 2026

Customers may modify their departure date or hotel without incurring a change fee. If the change results in a higher-priced vacation package, the price difference will apply. If the new package price is lower, no refund will be issued. Alternatively, customers may cancel their booking and receive a full refund.

Existing bookings made on or before Feb. 9, 2026, for travel March 1 – April 30, 2026

New bookings made Feb. 9 – 28, 2026, for departures Feb. 9 – 28, 2026

Customers may cancel their booking and receive a full refund.

New bookings made Feb. 9 – 28, 2026, for departures March 1 – April 30, 2026

Customers may cancel their booking and receive a future travel credit valid for 12 months.

More information from Hola Sun can be found here.