AGP Executive Report

Air Travel: Air China’s latest Madrid–Havana cancellation is delaying passengers’ luggage and medicine, adding costs and holding up packages bound for Cuba. Air Europa crews are also asking to make Cuba flights voluntary amid deep uncertainty. Fuel Alert: Ten Cuban airports remain under a fuel-availability alert through Nov. 1, adding another concern for travelers planning domestic or international connections. Tourism Strain: Reports point to a sharp downturn, with Spanish media warning visitor numbers could fall 64%; meanwhile, state-run Gaviota has kept almost 90% of its more than 30,000 rooms closed. A luxury Varadero resort is planned even as the wider sector struggles.

Flight Disruptions: Air China cancellations have stranded Cuba-bound passengers in Madrid, while Air Europa crews want flights to Cuba to be voluntary amid uncertainty. Ten Cuban airports remain on a fuel-availability alert through Nov. 1. Tourism Adjustments: Cuba says it is concentrating services where fuel and supplies are assured, including Havana, Varadero, the northern keys and Trinidad, while relying on private-sector offerings. Visitor Decline: Reports point to a deepening tourism slump: Gaviota has kept nearly 90% of its rooms closed, and Spanish media report visitor numbers down 64%.

Airport Fuel: Ten Cuban airports remain under fuel-availability alerts through November 1, adding uncertainty for travelers. Flight Disruptions: Air China cancellations on the Beijing–Havana route left passengers facing extra costs, missing luggage and delayed medicines; the route is one of the few links connecting Europe and Cuba. Tourism Slump: Spanish media report visitor numbers are down 64%, while state-owned Gaviota has kept nearly 90% of its more than 30,000 hotel rooms closed. New Resort: Despite the downturn, GAESA plans to open the Playa Luxury Varadero Hotel, a high-end development amid Cuba’s wider tourism crisis.

Flight Disruptions: Air China has changed schedules and suspended some Madrid–Havana services, leaving Cuban travelers in Spain facing extra costs, stranded luggage and delayed medication. The airline’s Beijing–Havana flights stop in Madrid and are among the more affordable options. Fuel Watch: Ten Cuban airports remain under a fuel-availability alert through November 1, adding uncertainty for visitors planning domestic connections. Tourism Slump: Cuba’s state-run Gaviota group has kept nearly 90% of its 30,000-plus hotel rooms closed, while Spanish media warn visitor numbers have fallen sharply. Against that backdrop, a new luxury resort is planned for Varadero.

Flight Disruptions: Air China cancellations and schedule changes on the Madrid–Havana route have left Cuban travelers facing extra ticket costs, delayed luggage and missed deliveries of food and medicine. The airline cites technical issues, while passengers complain of poor communication. Tourism Slump: Spanish media report visitor numbers are down 64%, with a possible 10% hit to GDP; state-owned Gaviota has kept almost 90% of its more than 30,000 hotel rooms closed. Fuel Alert: Ten Cuban airports remain under a fuel-availability alert through November 1, adding uncertainty for travelers planning flights. Varadero Hotels: A new luxury Playa Luxury Varadero resort is moving ahead amid the wider tourism crisis.

Flight Disruptions: Air China says Beijing–Havana flights via Madrid have faced frequent schedule changes and temporary cancellations. Check directly with the airline before travel; the cause and duration remain unclear. Fuel and Connectivity: Ten Cuban airports are under fuel-availability alerts through Nov. 1, while energy shortages have left more than 100 mobile radio bases in Camagüey at risk of outages, including in the tourist area of Santa Lucía. Tourism Strain: Reports point to a sharp downturn: Spanish media warn visitor numbers are down 64%, and state-owned Gaviota has kept nearly 90% of its more than 30,000 rooms closed. Against that backdrop, a new luxury resort is planned for Varadero.

Flight Disruptions: Air China warned of frequent schedule changes and temporary cancellations on its Beijing–Havana service via Madrid, a key link for travelers from Europe. Fuel Shortages: Ten Cuban airports, including Havana and Varadero, have no Jet A-1 fuel available through November 1, raising the risk of further changes to international services. Hotels: Gaviota plans to open its 85-room Playa Luxury Varadero resort on October 23, even as reports say the state-owned group has kept nearly 90% of its more than 30,000 rooms closed. Tourism Slump: Spanish media report visitor numbers are down 64%, adding to concerns about Cuba’s appeal as the island grapples with a deepening tourism crisis.

Flight Disruptions: Ten Cuban airports, including Havana, Varadero and Cayo Coco, have notices warning that Jet A-1 fuel is unavailable through Nov. 1, raising the risk of changes to flights. Air Canada also cut its Montreal routes to Cayo Coco and Varadero earlier this year. Tourism Slump: Gaviota says only 3,470 of its 30,000-plus hotel rooms are operating. International arrivals fell 64.4% in January–August, yet the military-owned group plans to reopen its adults-only Playa Luxury Varadero on Oct. 23, with rates from about $363 a night. Resort Check: A Cuban traveler’s review of Memories Jibacoa praised the beach and room but reported disappointment with early check-in, long buffet queues and a lack of carbonated drinks.

Sea Conditions: Post-tropical Storm Isaias is still generating dangerous surf and rip currents along western Cuba; check local beach advisories before heading to the coast. Tourism Slump: Cuba received 450,353 international visitors from January through August, down 64.4% year over year, as fuel shortages, flight cancellations and hotel-chain departures deepen the crisis. Hotel Availability: State-run Gaviota says just 3,470 of its more than 30,000 rooms are operating, concentrated in Havana, Varadero, Topes de Collantes and Cayo Santa María. Confirm your hotel is open and services are available before booking. Customs Changes: Cuba has updated rules for travelers’ personal imports and shipments, including limits on phones, computers and appliances; check current requirements before packing or sending goods.

Hotel Capacity: Cuba’s state-run Gaviota group has just 3,470 of its more than 30,000 rooms operating, leaving nearly nine in ten closed. It is reopening a Varadero adults-only hotel, with rates starting at $363 a night. Tourism Slump: International arrivals fell 64.4% in January–August to about 450,000, amid fuel and supply shortages, flight cancellations and hotel-chain departures. A Spanish economic report projects Cuba’s GDP could shrink 10.3% this year. Air Links: Russia is keeping direct flights to Havana on its agenda, though no restart date has been announced.

U.S. Travel Rules: New OFAC regulations effective Sept. 30 remove group people-to-people and professional-meeting travel authorizations to Cuba and end the U-turn authorization. U.S. travelers should check which trips remain permitted before booking. Flights and Airport Fuel: A notice tied to jet-fuel shortages at ten Cuban airports has expired, though that alone does not confirm supplies are fully restored. Russia is also keeping direct flights to Havana on its agenda. Customs Changes: Cuba has updated rules for personal imports and shipments, including limits on some electronics, while authorizing individuals to bring in commercial goods through non-commercial channels with tariffs payable in dollars. Getting Around: More trips have been announced on the Guantánamo–Havana train, adding a rail option for travelers.

Flights and Fuel: Russia is moving to restore direct air links with Havana, while Cuba’s latest aviation notice affecting Jet A-1 supplies at 10 airports has expired. That does not confirm fuel is available, so travelers should check with airlines before flying. Entry and Customs: Immigration rules are set to change on November 1; Cubans abroad should check the new requirements before traveling. New customs rules also set limits on personal imports such as phones, computers and appliances, and allow some commercial imports through non-commercial channels with tariffs payable in dollars. Health: Dengue remains a travel-related concern across tropical destinations, including parts of the Caribbean; use mosquito precautions and check current health advice before departure.

Airport & Wildlife Rules: A Cuban traveler returning from Havana was arrested at Miami International Airport after officers allegedly found 10 live birds concealed in his underwear, underscoring the risks of carrying undeclared wildlife across borders. Customs Changes: Cuba has revised import rules, including limits on phones, computers and appliances; it has also authorized individuals to bring in commercial goods through non-commercial channels, with tariffs charged in dollars. Check current requirements before packing. Travel Health: Florida reported 245 travel-associated dengue cases this year through Sept. 26, including 201 linked to travel to Cuba. Take mosquito precautions and check health guidance before departure.

Travel Health: Florida has reported 245 travel-associated dengue cases this year, including 201 linked to Cuba. The state also has 252 locally acquired cases, a sharp rise from 2025. Customs Rules: Cuba has introduced new rules for personal imports and shipments. Individuals can bring in goods for commercial purposes through non-commercial channels, with tariffs charged in dollars; limits also apply to some electronics and appliances. Getting Around: Russia is moving to resume direct air links with Havana, while additional Guantánamo–Havana train trips have been announced. Entry Requirements: Cuba is set to change its immigration rules on November 1, a change Cubans living abroad should check before traveling.

Spain Travel Checks: Border controls for passengers arriving from Italy by air or sea remain in force through Oct. 22, affecting Cubans traveling between Spain and Italy; carry the required immigration documents. Cuba Customs: New rules allow individuals to import goods for commercial purposes through non-commercial channels, with tariffs charged in dollars. Travelers should also check updated limits on personal imports, including electronics and appliances. Airport Fuel: A fuel-related NOTAM that left 10 Cuban airports without listed Jet A-1 supplies has expired, but that alone does not confirm fuel stocks are restored. Air Links: Russia says direct flights to Havana remain on its agenda, but a resumption has not been confirmed. Rail Travel: Extra Guantánamo–Havana trains are scheduled for Oct. 8 and 22; any remaining seats go to the public, with priority for urgent medical and social cases. Travel Policy: The U.S. has imposed new financial and travel restrictions on Cuba, while Cuba’s immigration rules are due to change Nov. 1.

Air Access: Cuba’s aviation fuel outlook remains uncertain. A NOTAM that left 10 airports without Jet A-1 has expired, after warnings of possible flight suspensions. Russia has also kept plans to resume direct air links with Havana on the agenda, though no restart date is confirmed. Customs: New rules allow individuals to import goods for commercial purposes through non-commercial channels, while setting limits on items including phones, computers and appliances. Check current allowances before packing. Getting Around: Extra Guantánamo–Havana train trips are scheduled for Oct. 8 and 22; remaining seats may go to the public, with priority for urgent medical and social needs. U.S. Travel Policy: Washington has announced new financial and travel restrictions on Cuba, adding uncertainty for travelers and businesses with island connections.