Chaos at Santa Clara Airport Due to Flights from the United States

The operational chaos at the Abel Santamaría International Airport in the city of Santa Clara was exposed on social media, as videos and images began to circulate showing the crowded hallways filled with luggage, particularly from travelers coming from the United States.

The journalist from Univisión 23, Mario Vallejo, shared images that show clear disorder in luggage handling and expressed his astonishment upon verifying the authenticity of the scenes.

“Really? When they sent me these images, I couldn't believe it. I had to make calls to Santa Clara airport to convince myself that it wasn't an artificial intelligence hoax”, wrote the journalist, noting that the issue lies with charter flight operations.

According to Vallejo, these companies allow passengers to transport large amounts of luggage for a fee of between two and three dollars per pound, which often results in a buildup of suitcases that do not arrive on time.

According to a source close to airport operations cited by Vallejo, when the weight of the plane reaches its limit, charter companies leave part of the luggage on the ground, particularly in Miami, to send it later on cargo flights. This practice, he claims, contributes to logistical collapse and to situations like those documented in his complaint.

The publication has generated debate on social media, with opinions criticizing the management of the airport and others pointing out the restrictions imposed by the airline as an aggravating factor.

Affected passengers shared their experiences, revealing that issues with baggage handling are not isolated incidents but a recurring problem at the island's airports.

“It happened to me, to get the suitcase I had to pay (bribe), and I also traveled to Placetas, meaning I had to pay for transportation to go pick up the luggage. I spent an entire day of my weekend trip at the airport,” commented a user, highlighting not only delays but also questionable practices in the airport system.

Another passenger shared a similar experience at José Martí Airport in Havana: “Incredible, at this moment at José Martí Airport the same thing is happening. And it's a problem to find the luggage because there is no organization, and it arrived a week after the flight.” Imagine the travelers from the East who had to pay an exorbitant fare to return again to retrieve their luggage. The Cuban struggles.

Some internet users emphasized that this situation is not new. "This is old; my last trip to the United States was in 2020 and through that airport. This has been happening for years at any airport in Cuba; it happened to me at the Havana airport in 2019," noted another user.

Meanwhile, the airport authorities have not issued an official statement on the matter.

This issue arises amidst the Cuban government's extension, until January 31, 2025, of the tariff exemption for the importation of food, hygiene products, and medicines by travelers arriving in the country.

This measure, in effect since July 2021, aims to alleviate the shortage of basic products in the national market. However, the high demand for these goods and the leniency in their importation may be contributing to congestion and disorganization at the airports, exacerbating the issues in luggage management.

On the other hand, according to preliminary data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), by November 2024, there were 266,625 visitors from the Cuban community abroad, representing an 18% decrease compared to the 325,292 visitors during the same period in 2023.

Factors such as the ongoing economic crisis in the country, restrictions and rising prices for international flights, as well as the cancellation of direct flights by various airlines, and a political environment that creates tensions between residents abroad and the Cuban government, have affected the arrival of Cubans residing overseas and international tourists to the island.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Chaos at Santa Clara Airport