Air Canada postpones resumption of Cuba flights until Nov. 1

Air Canada is postponing its resumption of service between Canada and Cuba until November 1, 2026, reads a notice that was posted to the airline’s website.

“Customers with travel booked between May 1 and October 31, 2026, will be contacted directly with their travel options, including the option to change destinations,” the airline writes.

The February 25 notice reads that because of ongoing power outages and hotel closures in Cuba, “we understand that you may want to make alternative travel arrangements.”

Air Canada suspended service to Cuba on Feb. 9, citing ongoing shortages of aviation fuel on the island.  The airline then operated outbound ferry flights to bring home roughly 3,000 customers who were already in Cuba—most travelling on Air Canada Vacations packages.

Other Canadian airlines so far appear to be continuing with their summer Cuba service, with no cancellations announced.

According to its website, Air Transat’s temporary suspension of flights to Cuba will remain in effect until April 30, 2026.

Sunwing’s notice indicates that its flights to Cuba are suspended through at least April 25, 2026, and there is no announced resumption date for the corresponding WestJet service.

As reported, the WestJet Group's decision to wind down winter operations in Cuba affects WestJet, Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations and Vacances WestJet Quebec.

In a previous statement, Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group, said it was a “difficult decision” to pause operations in Cuba.

“As the largest airline in Cuba, this is particularly challenging for everyone. We operate on average 100 flights per week to seven different airports on the island, carrying more than 15,000 guests to Cuba every week,” von Hoensbroech wrote on his LinkedIn page on February 10.

He said the company will pause operations “until the supply situation [in Cuba] recovers, at which time we will return serving Cuba at scale, which certainly remains one of the favourite vacation islands for Canadians in the Caribbean.”

Canada sends aid to Cuba

The update comes as Cuba faces a worsening humanitarian situation after the oil embargo imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Wednesday, Global Affairs Canada announced $8 million in funding for Cuba.

"This funding is part of an international assistance program to strengthen local food security and nutrition," according to a news statement from Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

As reported by CBC News, GAC says the funding is meant "to scale up food and nutrition for vulnerable Cubans."

The funding — to be released immediately — will be delivered through partnerships with the World Food Program and the United Nations Children's Fund, the statement said.

It follows the loss of Cuba’s primary source of fuel late last month, after the Trump administration took control of Venezuela’s oil exports, halted shipments and warned it could impose tariffs on countries that provide oil to the island.

Canada’s current travel advice for Cuba continues to recommend that Canadians avoid non-essential travel, pointing to worsening shortages of fuel, electricity and basic goods, including food, water and medication. 

Global Affairs Canada also noted that Canadian airlines have suspended service to Cuba until further notice, and warned that any remaining international commercial options could be reduced on short notice.

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