• Air France (AF.PA) restructures Havana service with a technical stop in Nassau, Bahamas, rather than suspending flights entirely, incurring additional operational costs.
  • Cuban authorities warn jet fuel will be unavailable at all nine international airports from February 10 through March 11, 2026, triggering varied airline responses and passenger disruptions.
  • The crisis stems from the collapse of Venezuelan oil supplies and U.S. policy pressure, exacerbating Cuba's broader energy emergency and threatening tourism recovery.

Air France is implementing a technical refueling stop in Nassau, Bahamas, to maintain its Havana route, a move that contrasts with suspensions by carriers like Air Canada (AC.TO) and Air Transat (TRZ.TO). According to people familiar with the matter, the airline's decision reflects strategic commitment to Caribbean connectivity despite increased costs and potential delays for passengers. This restructuring comes as Cuban aviation authorities issued an official notice on February 8, 2026, warning of jet fuel unavailability at all nine international airports from February 10 through March 11, 2026, an unprecedented disruption in recent history.

Efforts to navigate the crisis have hit a snag for some airlines, with Air Canada suspending all service immediately and operating empty ferry flights to repatriate approximately 3,000 stranded travelers. In contrast, U.S. carriers such as American Airlines (AAL), Delta Air Lines (DAL), and Southwest Airlines (LUV) are continuing operations by carrying extra fuel or maintaining sufficient reserves, while Iberia (IBG.MC) and Air Europa are routing Madrid-Havana flights through Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. One pilot noted that while refueling issues have occurred previously, an official announcement of this scale is extraordinary even for Cuba, recalling the last comparable fuel cuts over a decade ago when aircraft similarly refueled in Nassau.

The root causes are deeply geopolitical, with the loss of Venezuelan supply following the fall of Nicolás Maduro's regime in January 2026 and U.S. policy pressure intensifying. President Trump signed a presidential decree in late February threatening tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba, and reports indicate Trump stated Mexico will stop supplying oil to Cuba as it has since 2023. Without a deal to secure alternative fuel sources, Cuba faces severe economic strain, with the tourism sector—once generating $3 billion annually—particularly vulnerable during peak travel season. The disruption is part of a broader national energy emergency forcing Cuba to implement a four-day workweek, restrict fuel sales, and cut public services.

Human touches emerge as travelers face delayed connections, especially to Paris and European destinations, with Canadian leisure travelers heavily impacted. Attempts to reach Cuban officials for comment on the timeline for restoring fuel availability were unsuccessful, adding to uncertainty. Airlines are targeting May 1, 2026, as a realistic date for resuming normal service, suggesting authorities may extend restrictions beyond March 11. This crisis exposes structural vulnerabilities and may accelerate shifts in regional aviation patterns, with carriers redistributing activity to hubs like Nassau and Santo Domingo.

In a slight correction, earlier reports suggested Air France might suspend service, but the airline confirms it is maintaining modified operations. The broader implications highlight Cuba's reliance on foreign currency inflows from tourism, now constrained amid what analysts term the '2026 Cuban crisis,' potentially limiting government ability to address infrastructure deficits. As the situation unfolds, the aviation disruption reflects deeper geopolitical realignment rather than temporary supply issues, with ongoing negotiations and market adjustments shaping the near-term outlook.