Iberia to Suspend Direct Flights to Cuba Starting June Amid Fuel Crisis

Iberia will temporarily suspend all direct flights between Madrid and Cuba starting in June, the airline announced Monday. The decision comes as a result of a sharp decline in demand and a critical fuel shortage that has plagued the island for several months.

In a report to the agency EFE, the airline clarified that this suspension is a targeted measure affecting only Cuba due to the island’s “exceptional situation.” Although the Madrid-Havana corridor is facing a shutdown, Iberia emphasized that its broader global operations remain on track, with a record 21.4 million seats planned for the summer 2026 season.

A Logistical Crisis: Fuel Shortages and Technical Stops

The suspension is the culmination of operational struggles that began early this year. On February 9, Cuba issued NOTAM A0356/26, confirming that Jet A-1 fuel was unavailable at nine international airports. This shortage specifically impacted key hubs, including Havana, Varadero, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, and Camagüey.

For the past two months, Iberia has been forced to implement costly workarounds to keep the route viable. Flights returning to Madrid have required technical stops in Santo Domingo to refuel, adding significant operational expenses and travel time. This energy crisis was triggered by the interruption of oil supplies from Venezuela in early 2026, a source that previously accounted for two-thirds of Cuba’s imports.

The Phase-Out Timeline

Iberia is not cutting the route overnight but is instead implementing a phased reduction of service over the next 60 days:

• April: The airline will maintain three weekly flights on the Madrid-Havana route.
• May: The schedule will be reduced to two weekly flights.
• June: All direct operations will completely cease.

Alternative Travel Options

Despite the suspension of direct flights, Iberia is attempting to maintain connectivity for its passengers. Travelers can still reach Cuba by flying to Panama and connecting via a codeshare agreement with Iberia’s partner, Copa Airlines. Iberia’s customer service offices in Havana will remain open to assist passengers during the suspension period.

Looking Toward November 2026

The airline has not abandoned the route entirely. Iberia is keeping ticket sales open for flights starting in November 2026, the window in which it plans to resume direct operations, provided that local conditions and fuel availability allow.

This disruption highlights the volatility of international travel in the region, where geopolitical shifts and energy instability can abruptly alter aviation schedules. For those tracking the situation, the next critical checkpoint will be the airline’s assessment of the route’s viability leading into the November relaunch window.

For further details on the suspension, you can refer to the full report via CiberCuba.

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