The aviation fuel crisis in Cuba is hitting tourism and putting companies with Balearic parent companies on alert.

PalmThe lack of aviation fuel in Cuba has triggered a new crisis that is severely impacting the international tourism sector and, in particular, Spanish companies with a significant presence on the island. The Cuban government has warned airlines that it cannot guarantee kerosene supplies at the country's airports for weeks, a situation that has forced a reconfiguration of flight operations and accelerated adjustments in the hotel sector. The crisis is part of a serious energy emergency plaguing the country, with difficulties importing oil and its derivatives, which affects not only air transport but also the electricity supply and economic activity in general. Tourism, Cuba's main source of foreign currency, is once again in an extremely vulnerable position.

Air Europa and Iberia: operations adjusted

In the air sector, Air Europa has opted to maintain connections between Madrid and Havana, but with substantial modifications. Its aircraft must make technical stops in third countries, such as the Dominican Republic, to refuel before completing the return journey. This measure avoids immediate cancellations but increases operating costs, lengthens flight times, and creates uncertainty among passengers. Iberia, for its part, has activated flexible policies for customers with tickets to Cuba, allowing changes or refunds without penalty. The company is monitoring the situation and does not rule out further adjustments if the fuel shortage continues. Although total suspensions have not been announced, the context requires constant and proactive operational management. The most striking precedent has been set by US and Canadian airlines, which have gone so far as to completely suspend routes to the island, further reducing the flow of international visitors.

Melià and Iberostar: temporary closures and 'compaction'

The impact is even more visible in the hotel sector, where major Spanish chains have a long-standing and strategic presence. Meliá Hotels International, one of the companies with the largest presence in Cuba—with more than thirty establishments—has confirmed the temporary closure of three hotels and the reorganization of its offerings to concentrate guests in fewer facilities. This consolidation is a response to both the drop in demand and energy supply limitations. Iberostar, with around twenty hotels on the island, has also adjusted its operations. Although it has not publicly specified the number of establishments affected, the company has adapted its capacity and services in response to the decline in international arrivals. The reduction in flights, especially from Canada—one of the main source markets for tourists to Cuba—has directly affected occupancy levels.

Barceló, Rio and Catalonia: indirect but inevitable impact

Other chains with a presence in Cuba, such as Barceló, Riu Hotels, and Catalonia Hotels, have not announced specific closures linked exclusively to the fuel crisis. However, the overall deterioration of the Cuban tourism market and the uncertainty surrounding air connectivity inevitably impact their operations.

Dependence on air transport is absolute in an island destination like Cuba, and any disruption in the fuel supply has an immediate effect on visitor arrivals, tour operator planning, and hotel profitability.

A sector on the brink

The current crisis comes at a particularly delicate time for Cuban tourism, which had not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Economic instability, logistical difficulties, and competition from other Caribbean destinations had already weakened the sector. Now, the shortage of aviation fuel exacerbates a situation that some analysts are calling a "critical turning point." For Spanish companies, Cuba remains a strategic market due to its investment volume and historical positioning. However, the need for constant adaptation, increased operating costs, and uncertainty about the duration of the crisis present a complex scenario in the short term. If the situation is not resolved quickly, the Cuban tourism sector could experience a further drop in revenue and employment, with consequences not only for the island's economy but also for the large Spanish companies that have been operating there for decades.