Air Transat slashes flights as Cuba fuel crisis drives hundreds of cancellations

Air Transat announced Wednesday that it would scale back its 2026 flights over fuel prices and volatile energy markets.

The Montreal-based carrier said the changes amount to a six per cent reduction in planned capacity between May and October 2026, as it seeks to prioritize its most profitable routes amid rising costs.

About two thirds of the flight cuts stem from an extended suspension of flights to Cuba, according to Andréan Gagné, Senior Director of Communications at the airline. She said it has cancelled about 750 flights to Cuba since halting service in February, a move driven by ongoing jet fuel shortages in the region.

Other adjustments include reduced frequencies on select routes to Europe and the Caribbean, as well as shorter operating seasons for some destinations next summer.

Customers affected by the changes are being contacted directly and offered alternative travel options, the company said.

“The recent volatility in aviation fuel prices reflects an exceptional environment affecting the entire sector,” said Annick Guérard, Air Transat’s president and chief executive, in the company’s statement. “We will continue to optimize our program based on demand, which remains strong.”

The airline added that additional changes could be made depending on how fuel markets evolve.

Airlines globally are grappling with surging fuel costs, driven in part by geopolitical tensions that have disrupted oil supply routes and pushed up prices.

Last week, Air Canada announced it was suspending its operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City for five months over the height of the summer travel season.

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Harry North

I’ve been writing for the Montreal Gazette since 2023, chasing the biggest stories I can find and always looking for new ways to tell them. I studied economics and computer science at McGill. Now I live in the city’s Plateau, where I wear Doc Martens to blend in among the hipsters. It doesn’t work. Seen something interesting? Email me: [email protected]

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