The state airline Cubana de Aviación announced this weekend an increase in its operations for both international and national flights, despite the severe crisis currently affecting the Cuban tourism sector.
The general director of the company, Arsenio Arocha Elías-Moisés, detailed that starting from November 25, 2025, there will be two weekly flights to Germany, one from Havana and another from Holguín, and a second frequency will be added to Madrid, Spain, also from the Cuban capital.
“In the winter, we will be flying to Europe with two flights to Germany and two flights to Madrid, Spain,” Arocha stated during an appearance on television.
Regarding national routes, the executive specified that there are currently three flights operating to Santiago de Cuba, two to Holguín, two to Gerona (Isle of Youth), and one to Camagüey.
It was announced that in June a second frequency to Camagüey will begin, and that during the summer new routes within Cuba will be introduced, without specifying which ones.
According to Arocha, the aim of increasing domestic flights is to "facilitate the movement of tourists within the country," although the regime claims it will also "benefit the population."
The strategy aims to reestablish Cuba as a competitive tourist destination in the Caribbean, despite the multiple challenges the island faces due to the deterioration of road infrastructure, fuel shortages, poor quality of services, and the deplorable technical condition of the rental vehicle fleet from MINTUR.
Official data contradicts institutional optimism
The National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) revealed that between January and March 2025, 571,772 international tourists arrived in the country, a decline of 29.7% compared to the same period in 2024.
The figures indicate a decrease of 237,169 visitors compared to the first quarter of the previous year. The reduction in tourists coming from Russia, Canada, and the Cuban community abroad has been particularly significant.
Russia has reduced its volume of visitors by almost half, while only 59,896 people from the Cuban diaspora arrived, compared to 75,235 in 2024. In the case of Canada — the main historical source — the figure fell by 31.8 %, from 399,254 to 272,274 visitors.
Arrivals from Germany, France, Argentina, Mexico, and Spain also experienced significant declines, with only 9,827 Spanish tourists during the period.
Experts agree that the situation is critical
The economist José Luis Perelló warns that "Cuba will not reach pre-pandemic tourism levels until 2030", and describes this period as a "lost decade" for one of the country's economic engines.
The announcement of new flight frequencies, while theoretically positive, comes in an adverse context. Without energy security, without a modern functional infrastructure, and with few incentives for foreign airlines, the tourism outlook in Cuba continues to decline, despite what the regime claims.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Crisis of Cubana de Aviación and Tourism in Cuba
What are the new plans of Cubana de Aviación to increase its flights to Europe?
Cubana de Aviación plans to implement two weekly flights to Germany and a second frequency to Madrid starting November 25, 2025. This is part of its strategy to increase international operations, despite the crisis facing the Cuban tourism sector.
How does the crisis at Cubana de Aviación affect its current operations?
Currently, Cubana de Aviación operates with only two aircraft in service, which limits its operations and forces the company to rely on foreign airlines for certain connections. The crisis is partly due to supply issues and the U.S. embargo.
What impact has the decline in tourism had on the Cuban economy?
The decline in tourism has severely impacted the Cuban economy, as tourism is one of the main sources of foreign currency income for the country. The drop in the number of visitors has significantly reduced the sector's revenues, exacerbating the island's fragile economic situation.
What factors are contributing to the tourism crisis in Cuba?
The tourism crisis in Cuba is a result of structural problems, such as poor service quality, fuel shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure. Additionally, competition from other Caribbean destinations and diplomatic tensions have also negatively impacted the perception of Cuba as a tourist destination.
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