by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 9:45 AM ET, Thu March 19, 2026
Reports from Cuba are dire, with the U.S. oil blockade of the struggling nation leading to widespread power outages. The Cuban electrical grid runs on oil, so no oil means almost every aspect of modern life is hindered: cooking and keeping good fresh is difficult. Transportation on the island is curtailed severely, and the outages have affected the water and sanitation systems too.
With these challenges, it’s not surprising the tourism industry has been impacted in a major way. Some hotels and resorts have been forced to close for now, tour companies are pausing operations and airlines which have already suspended flights to Cuba are extending the cuts.
Air Canada has previously announced it would be suspending all Cuba service until Nov. 1, 2026. Travellers with tickets booked between May 1 and Oct. 31, 2026 will be contacted with alternative options, including the choice to rebook to a different destination.
WestJet has issued a similar announcement, indicating it would restart flights on April 25, 2026 and offering flexible rebooking for passengers, but a Canadian Press report states that the airline is now cancelling flights through to October, although vacation packages may restart as early as June.
Air Transat is also pausing Cuba flights, citing the “ongoing fuel shortage situation.” The airline anticipates restarting on June 20, 2026 with reduced capacity during the summer as a precautionary measure. Passengers with tickets booked for travel on a cancelled flight will be contacted with options.
The Canadian Press reports that between WestJet and Air Transat, more than half a million people fly to Cuba every year, with Cuba accounting for eight percent of Transat’s winter flight volume.
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