The Chinese embassy confirms temporary suspensions while passengers report a lack of information and difficulties filing claims.
14ymedio, Madrid, October 12, 2026 – Air China, one of the two airlines still flying between Madrid and Havana, has begun experiencing cancellations and schedule changes in recent weeks, setting off alarm among Cubans living in Spain who depend on this route to travel to the Island.
Complaints about cancellations and the lack of information provided to passengers have proliferated recently on social media, but a statement published this Saturday by the Chinese embassy in Cuba confirms frequent schedule changes and the suspension of some flights, which it attributes to “technical reasons.”
The embassy is asking Chinese citizens to “pay close attention” to adjustments to flights CA865 (Beijing-Havana) and CA866 (Havana-Beijing), operated by Air China. Both make a stopover in Madrid and are the most affordable option for the large Cuban community in Spain, since Air Europa, the only other alternative amid the current kerosene crisis on the Island, sells its tickets at a much higher price.
The statement does not specify what those “technical reasons” are, but a passenger affected by the cancellation of the Saturday, October 10 flight reported on social media that when she went to Madrid-Barajas Airport this Sunday, she was told that the problem was caused by repair work on the runway at Nassau Airport in the Bahamas, and that “it is not known when” Chinese aircraft will be able to operate there again. Along with her message, she shared a photo of a notice from the Bahamian airport confirming the runway work.
They explained that the problem was caused by repair work on the runway at Nassau Airport in the Bahamas, and that “it is not known when” Chinese aircraft will be able to operate there again
Air China has been making a technical stop in Nassau since March to refuel on the return journey from Havana to Madrid because of the lack of Jet A-1 fuel at Cuban airports. In its official announcements, the operator of the Bahamian airport confirms rehabilitation work on its runways and expects to complete it on October 31.
Meanwhile, according to notices from Havana’s José Martí Airport, it will close for two nights in October: from 7:00 p.m. this Monday, October 12, until 2:40 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, and during the same hours from Monday, October 19, to Tuesday, October 20. The official notices also maintain the declaration that no Jet A-1 fuel is available for refueling at the terminal, at least until November 1. The same applies to the rest of Cuba’s airports. However, no official statement links these notices to Air China’s cancellations.
Passengers affected in Madrid report that they were not notified of the disruptions and have been left stranded at the airport for more than 15 hours, facing considerable difficulties in claiming a ticket refund or the €600 compensation promised by the airline, as well as problems obtaining hotel accommodations because of the schedule changes. In other comments, some users describe the bad experiences they have also had when returning from Havana with Air China, as well as the consequences of suspended flights for their working lives in Spain.
In 2026, numerous airlines have suspended their flights to Cuba, reduced frequencies, or modified their operations because of fuel shortages and declining demand. Some have had to introduce technical stops in third countries to refuel before continuing to the Island. The companies that have withdrawn include Air Canada, Air France, WestJet, Sunwing, Air Transat, Iberia, Latam Perú, and Turkish Airlines.
The official notices also maintain the declaration that no Jet A-1 fuel is available for refueling at the terminal, at least until November 1
Air Europa is the only Spanish company operating regular flights to the Island following the departure of Iberia, World2Fly, and Plus Ultra, and its flights have continued to attract steady demand despite their high fares. Air Europa also makes a technical stop to refuel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on its return flights to Spain.
Despite passengers’ complaints and bad experiences, Air China is the other operator maintaining the Madrid-Havana route and the preferred choice among the Cuban community in Spain because it offers more affordable prices. Its official website still lists two weekly flights, although its fares have soared in response to demand, especially for the end of the year.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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