Air China arranged an emergency flight from Havana to transport passengers stranded in Cuba after a series of cancellations on its usual route, as announced by the Chinese Embassy in Cuba on Monday, October 18.
The extra flight, labeled CA590, departed from José Martí International Airport on Tuesday, October 19, at 10:30 PM local time. It made a stop in Nassau (Bahamas) before continuing to Madrid and Beijing, according to FlightAware data cited by international media.
This decision was a response to the repeated cancellations of the regular CA866 flight (Havana–Madrid–Beijing), which had faced disruptions since the beginning of the month due to officially cited "technical reasons".
Emergency Flight Details and Passenger Eligibility
The Chinese embassy clarified that the CA590 flight was for passengers whose CA866 flights had been canceled before October 10. These passengers could arrange boarding without additional charges at the Air China counter starting at 5:00 PM on Tuesday.
However, the diplomatic representation warned about the limited availability of seats, urging passengers to stay updated on schedule changes, plan ahead, and arrive at the airport early to complete necessary procedures.
The last successful operation of CA865 (Beijing–Havana) before the disruptions was on October 9. Flights scheduled for October 10 and 14 were canceled, and the October 21 flight was rescheduled, moving its departure from Madrid from 2:45 PM to 10:45 PM.
The Underlying Fuel Crisis
Although not officially acknowledged by the Chinese embassy, Reuters linked the emergency flight to Cuba's severe Jet A-1 aviation fuel shortage, which has persisted since February 2026.
Cuba's Air Navigation Company (ECNA) issued notices to pilots about the unavailability of Jet A-1 fuel at ten international airports across the island, including Havana, Varadero, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Camagüey, Cayo Coco, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, Manzanillo, and Cayo Largo del Sur. This restriction remains in effect until November 1.
As a result, airlines like Iberia, Turkish Airlines, World2Fly, Air Canada, and Air Transat have suspended flights to Cuba throughout 2026. Air Europa, which continues its Madrid–Havana route, has been refueling in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) on return flights, a measure confirmed at least until November 30.
Stranded Passengers: Costs, Delays, and Frustration
The ongoing cancellations have caused significant distress for travelers and their families. Cuban Rosy López, also known as Roselynn Lu, reported on social media that more than 200 people were left waiting at the airport without answers, as the airline refused to document claims. "They won't sign the complaint form, they refuse to stamp anything," she stated.
Another passenger, whose mother paid 1,200 euros for an October 14 ticket, received a cancellation email, with the only alternative being a wait of up to 15 days.
"My family in Cuba was waiting for me with much-needed medicines and food, all so difficult to obtain there," she shared, according to an investigation into Air China's cancellations.
The disruptions also impacted parcel deliveries. The Madrid-based agency D'Nodarse acknowledged having pending shipments with no delivery date, as reported in coverage on the canceled Madrid–Havana flight.
"Behind every shipment, there is a significant need, a family waiting," a representative from the agency noted.
A Deteriorating Connection
Air China operates the Beijing–Madrid–Havana route with two weekly flights and, alongside Air Europa, remains one of the few airlines maintaining direct connections between Europe and Cuba.
Air Europa crew unions have requested that flights to Cuba be voluntary, citing "maximum" operational uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the Chinese foreign ministry referred Reuters' inquiries to other departments, and neither the aviation regulator nor Air China responded to requests for comments, leaving passengers without an official explanation on when the route might be normalized.
Understanding Air China's Recent Flight Issues
Why did Air China initiate an emergency flight from Cuba?
Air China initiated an emergency flight to assist passengers stranded due to a series of cancellations on its regular Havana–Madrid–Beijing route, attributed to "technical reasons".
What is causing the flight disruptions in Cuba?
The disruptions are linked to a severe shortage of Jet A-1 aviation fuel in Cuba, affecting several international airports and leading to flight suspensions by multiple airlines.
How are passengers affected by these cancellations?
Passengers have faced financial costs, long waits, and frustrations, with some unable to receive documentation for their claims and others waiting up to 15 days for alternative flights.
What measures are airlines taking due to the fuel shortage?
Some airlines have suspended flights to Cuba, while others, like Air Europa, make refueling stops in other countries, such as the Dominican Republic, to continue operations.