Russia is interested in expanding commercial flights to Cuba, said the Minister of Transport of the Eurasian nation, Roman Starovoit, during the Eastern Economic Forum held in the city of Vladivostok from September 3 to 6.
"We are negotiating with our partners in Cuba, in Africa, and in other areas. Everything depends on the demand. If airlines see the demand, then, of course, they react. Therefore, here the issue is studied with specific countries," the minister explained in an interview with Sputnik.
The official added that "when there is demand, airlines organize charter or scheduled transport flights," emphasizing Egypt, one of the preferred countries for Russian tourists.
Starting from October 13, the Russian airline Rossiya will resume its flights from Moscow to Havana, initially operating a weekly frequency.
These flights had been paused in March 2022 due to European sanctions for the war in Ukraine.
The Cuban government estimates that this year more than 200,000 Russian tourists will arrive in the country, due to the implementation of MIR cards at the end of 2023.
According to the head of the sector on the island, Juan Carlos García Granda, "this means of payment could facilitate customers' stays."
In the first quarter of the year, more than 66,000 Russian tourists visited Cuba, and the island's authorities hoped to maintain that pace of arrivals in the upcoming months.
During the first half of the year, the number of tourists from that country reached 112,721, only surpassed by Canada (577,549) and by Cubans residing abroad who visited the island (155,320).
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