A twin-engine ATR flies again between Isla de la Juventud and Havana for 600 pesos round trip

Cubana de Aviación Resumes Flights Between Havana and Isla de la Juventud

The Cubana de Aviación airline has announced the resumption of its flights between Havana and Isla de la Juventud. Ángel Luis Meriño, head of the Ground Operations Department at the Rafael Cabrera Montelier Airport, revealed that the route will have four weekly frequencies and will be operational until October 28.

According to a statement from islavision, the flight schedule for Mondays and Wednesdays will depart from the airport in Havana at 7:00 am, heading to the city of Nueva Gerona. The return flight to the capital will be at 8:45 am. On Saturdays and Sundays, the departure from Havana is scheduled for 12 noon, with the return from Nueva Gerona at 1:45 pm.

The airline had previously reactivated its flights to Isla de la Juventud in November, but on February 8, 2023, it announced the suspension of the route due to technical issues with the aircraft (ATR model twin-engine) that covered the route. Initially, the suspension was expected to last until March 9.

The resumption of flights is a relief for the residents of the special municipality, as the only alternative to leave the island is by catamarans. Many users have complained about the poor condition of the boats, which are rusty and often have mechanical problems. Additionally, part of the journey to the capital is done by bus on roads in poor condition, where accidents are frequently reported.

Last year, the government announced the start of operations of Perseverancia, a modern ferry that would cover the journey between Batabanó and Nueva Gerona in five hours and could accommodate twice the load of traditional catamarans.

While the reactivation of the route has been welcomed by the residents of Isla de la Juventud, some have expressed concerns about the high cost of tickets, which does not align with the average income of Cuban families. Local media reports that the price for nationals is 300 pesos each way, totaling 600 pesos for a round trip.

However, tickets are not yet available through the Viajando platform, a mobile application for Cuban customers. They can only be purchased on the airline’s website, where payment can be made with foreign bank cards and in foreign currency at a much higher price: $117 for a round trip or $67 for a single leg. In comparison, a catamaran ticket costs about 50 pesos, and the bus ride between Havana and Batabanó costs 5 pesos.

The Ministry of Transport acknowledged in 2021 that the airline was unable to maintain its flights due to the poor condition of its ships, which frequently experienced problems during journeys and required emergency landings.

Despite the challenges faced by the airline, it recently confirmed that two of its aircraft are in Russia for maintenance. This repair program in Russia is a result of the majority of the fleet being of Soviet origin. The fleet, which currently consists of 17 aircraft including Antonovs, Ilyushins, Tupolevs, and ATRs, has been in need of repairs for some time.

In April, the airline announced the resumption of flights between Havana and Buenos Aires, Argentina, and in May, it was reported that a direct frequency to Barcelona would be inaugurated on June 29 in partnership with the Spanish company Plus Ultra.

The reestablishment of flights between Havana and Isla de la Juventud provides a vital air connection for the residents of the special municipality, offering a safer and more efficient mode of transportation compared to catamarans and buses. However, concerns about ticket prices and the overall condition of the airline’s fleet remain.

How have the residents of Isla de la Juventud reacted to the resumption of flights between Havana and the island?

The Cubana de Aviación airline has announced that it will resume flights between Havana and Isla de la Juventud. The route will have four weekly frequencies and will be operational until October 28. The flight schedule for Mondays and Wednesdays will depart from Havana at 7:00 am, with the return flight at 8:45 am. On Saturdays and Sundays, the departure from Havana is scheduled for 12 noon, with the return from Isla de la Juventud at 1:45 pm.

The airline had previously suspended the route in February 2023 due to technical issues with the aircraft. The resumption of flights is a relief for the residents of Isla de la Juventud, as the only alternative to leave the island is by catamarans, which are often in poor condition and prone to mechanical problems. The government had previously announced the start of operations for a modern ferry, but it has yet to be implemented.

Overall, the reactivation of the route has been welcomed by the residents of Isla de la Juventud as it provides a more reliable and convenient mode of transportation to and from the island.