Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Airport) plans to resume flights to Havana International on October 25, 2026, more than six months after suspending its Cuba operations amid the country's ongoing jet fuel shortage.

According to ch-aviation schedules data, the carrier will operate Istanbul Airport-Havana 3x weekly with B787-9s, with both directions filed non-stop until at least March 5, 2027.

The restart will also restore a sixth-freedom option between Russia and Cuba via Istanbul. Turkish Airlines' booking engine lists Moscow Vnukovo-Havana itineraries via Istanbul from October 25, as well as connections from Havana to Moscow and St. Petersburg. No direct flights between Russia and Cuba currently exists, after Rossiya, Nordwind Airlines, and Aeroflot suspended flights from early 2026 due to the fuel situation.

Aviation fuel shortages remain an operational constraint at Havana airport. An active Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued on July 30 states that Jet A-1 fuel is unavailable at the aerodrome at least until September 1.

As previously reported by ch-aviation, Cuba suspended jet fuel provision at Havana and eight other airports from February 10, forcing several foreign carriers to suspend flights or introduce intermediate refuelling stops.