Commodities February 11, 2026

Russia to Evacuate Tourists from Cuba, Then Halt Flights Amid Jet Fuel Shortage

Rosaviatsia names Rossiya and Severny Veter as carriers that will repatriate passengers before suspending services until fuel supplies return

By Avery Klein
Russia to Evacuate Tourists from Cuba, Then Halt Flights Amid Jet Fuel Shortage

Russia's aviation regulator said two Russian carriers will operate flights to extract Russian tourists from Cuba in the coming days, and will then suspend services to the island until a jet fuel shortage is resolved. The regulator identified the airlines as Rossiya - part of the Aeroflot group - and Severny Veter (Nordwind). The move follows Cuban warnings that jet fuel would be unavailable as of Tuesday and U.S. policy actions affecting oil shipments to the island.

Key Points

  • Two Russian carriers - Rossiya (part of the Aeroflot group) and Severny Veter (Nordwind) - will fly Russian tourists out of Cuba in the coming days and afterwards suspend operations until jet fuel supplies improve.
  • Cuban authorities warned that jet fuel would be unavailable to international airlines from Tuesday, prompting operational responses from carriers and regulators.
  • U.S. administration statements have indicated Cuba will no longer receive oil from Venezuela and warned of potential tariffs on other suppliers like Mexico, creating additional pressure on fuel availability.

Russia's aviation regulator, Rosaviatsia, said on Wednesday that two Russian airlines will run flights to Cuba in the coming days to bring Russian tourists home and will then suspend operations until a jet fuel shortage on the island abates.

Rosaviatsia identified the carriers as Rossiya, which is part of the Aeroflot group, and Severny Veter, also known as Nordwind. According to the regulator, the flights are intended to evacuate Russian holidaymakers before services are paused as fuel conditions make continued operations impractical.

The suspension decision follows a warning from Cuban authorities that international airlines would no longer be able to obtain jet fuel on the island from Tuesday. That notice indicated a sudden and acute interruption in aviation fuel availability affecting carriers serving Cuba.

U.S. policy developments were cited in official statements referenced by the regulator. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has characterized Cuba as "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and stated it will no longer receive oil from Venezuela. The administration has also warned it could impose tariffs on other suppliers, including Mexico, should they continue to ship fuel to Cuba.

Rosaviatsia's announcement centers on the near-term logistics of repatriating Russian tourists and the temporary suspension of airline operations until jet fuel supplies are restored. The regulator framed the suspension as contingent on an easing of the fuel shortage.

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The situation remains dependent on developments in the island's fuel supply and on policy decisions affecting fuel shipments. For now, Rosaviatsia's instructions set a clear sequence: evacuate Russian tourists in the coming days, then suspend flights to Cuba until jet fuel becomes reliably available.

Risks

  • Jet fuel shortage in Cuba is causing disruptions to international airline operations, directly impacting the aviation and tourism sectors.
  • Potential policy measures - including the U.S. decision to stop Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threats of tariffs on other suppliers - could further restrict fuel flows and prolong airline suspensions, affecting energy markets and carriers serving the island.
  • Uncertainty about when jet fuel supplies will be restored leaves airline scheduling and tourism revenues vulnerable until the shortage eases.

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