Amid a deep operational crisis that has left the national air fleet at its lowest capacity, Cubana de Aviación announced an adjustment to its domestic routes.
According to the announcement, the new schedule is due to an increase in operational frequencies and includes changes to the timings and days of flights from Havana to various provinces in the country, and vice versa.
Passengers with prior tickets who are affected must go to the airline's sales offices to request date changes or refunds, if available.
Ticket purchases will only be allowed through the official portal www.cubana.cu or in person at authorized offices. Any ticket purchased through third parties will be considered invalid by the airline.
The state-owned company also clarified that payments will only be accepted in cash or through digital gateways, in accordance with the prices set forth in resolution 346/2020 of the Ministry of Finance and Prices.
Announced schedules:
From Havana:
Havana – Holguín: Mondays and Wednesdays (8:30 pm)
Havana – Camagüey: Tuesday (8:05 am)
Havana – Gerona: Tuesday and Thursday (10:30 am)
Havana – Santiago de Cuba: Tuesday (2:30 pm and 10:50 pm), Thursday (10:00 pm)
From the provinces:
Holguín – Havana: Mondays and Wednesdays (10:30 PM)
Camagüey – Havana: Tuesday (10:25 am)
Gerona – Havana: Tuesdays and Thursdays (12:00 pm)
Santiago de Cuba – Havana: Tuesday (12:00 pm and 6:45 pm), Friday (12:15 am)
The readjustment of frequencies has been accompanied by a series of logistical restrictions that impact passengers, including limitations on luggage.
In February, the airline announced that only one carry-on bag of up to 5 kg and one checked bag of up to 23 kg are allowed. Any extra luggage is considered excess and is subject to aircraft availability and additional charges.
A reduced fleet and unfulfilled promises
Cubana de Aviación only has two operational planes in the entire country, as confirmed in January by Joel Archer Santos, president of the Cuban Aviation Corporation (Cacsa).
Archer Santos attributed the situation to the U.S. embargo, claiming that the necessary parts to keep the planes operational are manufactured abroad and it takes a long time for them to arrive.
Limited routes and disconnected territories
The lack of national air connectivity is particularly noticeable in provinces like Guantánamo and Manzanillo, where air service has not yet been restored.
On the contrary, routes like Havana-Gerona (Isle of Youth) were resumed in December 2024, after more than a year of interruption, with two weekly frequencies.
Private alternatives and foreign presence
The prolonged crisis has created an opportunity for foreign airlines such as Air Europa and U.S. companies to gain prominence in connectivity between Cuba and other destinations.
Meanwhile, Cubana de Aviación—once a symbol of national air transportation—finds itself forced to rely on external alliances and internal adjustments, without providing fundamental solutions for a crisis that has already been ongoing for years.
In this context, the newly announced measures are merely temporary stopgaps, as the structural, logistical, and financial issues of an airline operating under severe restrictions persist, along with a management that fails to ensure even the basics: that its flights take off.
Frequently Asked Questions about the new schedules and frequencies of Cubana de Aviación for domestic routes
What are the new schedules for Cubana de Aviación's domestic flights from Havana?
Havana-Holguín: Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:30 PM; Havana-Camagüey: Tuesdays at 8:05 AM; Havana-Gerona: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 AM; and Havana-Santiago de Cuba: Tuesdays at 2:30 PM and 10:50 PM, and Thursdays at 10:00 PM.
How does the operational crisis of Cubana de Aviación affect its domestic flights?
The airline operates with only two planes throughout the country, which limits the number of flights and frequencies. This results in limited routes and disconnected areas, such as Guantánamo and Manzanillo, where there is no air service available.
What baggage restrictions apply on domestic flights of Cubana de Aviación?
Only one carry-on item of up to 5 kg and one checked item of up to 23 kg are allowed. Cualquier equipaje adicional se considera exceso y está sujeto a disponibilidad de la aeronave y cobros adicionales.
Where can tickets for Cubana de Aviación flights be purchased?
Tickets can only be purchased through the official portal www.cubana.cu or in person at authorized offices. Any ticket purchased through third parties will be considered invalid by the airline.
What alternatives are there to domestic flights operated by Cubana de Aviación?
Foreign airlines such as Air Europa have gained prominence in connectivity between Cuba and other destinations due to the prolonged crisis of Cubana de Aviación. This provides additional options for passengers looking to fly to and from Cuba.
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