Cubans have voiced their complaints about the new flight schedules for the Havana-Camagüey route of Cubana de Aviación that will take effect starting in July.
This comes after the state airline announced that starting in July, the Havana-Camagüey-Havana operations will take place every Wednesday and Sunday, with departure times from the capital at 9:15 PM and from the province at 11:35 PM.
The post by Cubana has been flooded with dozens of comments from users who are protesting the inconvenience of the schedules in a country where transportation and electricity are scarce.
"The schedule is not feasible for anyone; not all of us have private transportation to get to the airport, which is quite far away. And if with the previous schedules the private drivers charged an arm and a leg, now they will charge for late-night service and for the dangers involved," said an internet user.
Another one wondered whether the state operators have "not analyzed that the schedules do not benefit the population?"
"Keep in mind that the airports are located far from the city. Have you thought about the people traveling with children, the elderly, and those with disabilities?" he said.
In the midst of a deep operational crisis that has reduced the national air fleet to its bare minimum, Cubana de Aviación has announced adjustments to its domestic routes in recent months.
The rearrangement of frequencies has been accompanied by a series of logistical restrictions that affect passengers, including limitations on luggage.
In February, the airline announced that only one piece of hand luggage up to 5 kg and one checked bag up to 23 kg are allowed. Any additional luggage will be considered excess and is subject to aircraft availability and additional charges.
Cubana de Aviación has only two operational planes across the 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 require long waits for their arrival.
The lack of national air connectivity is particularly noticeable in provinces such as Guantánamo and Manzanillo, where air service has still not been restored.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Havana-Camagüey Flights of Cubana de Aviación
Why are the schedules for the Habana-Camagüey flights of Cubana de Aviación so heavily criticized?
The nighttime schedules of the Havana-Camagüey flights have faced criticism because they are not convenient for most passengers, who rely on public or private transportation to reach airports that are far from the city. Moreover, nighttime transportation is more expensive and scarce, making it difficult to access flights, especially for people with children or limited mobility.
What baggage restrictions apply for domestic flights with Cubana de Aviación?
In domestic flights of Cubana de Aviación, one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 5 kg and one checked piece weighing up to 23 kg are allowed. Any additional luggage is considered excess and is subject to aircraft availability and extra charges, which can be problematic for those traveling with more luggage.
What is Cubana de Aviación doing to improve its operations in light of the current crisis?
Cubana de Aviación is trying to reconfigure its routes and flight frequencies to adapt to the current limitations of its fleet, which has significantly decreased. The airline has also increased some international frequencies to Europe and implemented baggage restrictions to optimize the use of its few operational aircraft.
How does the embargo affect the operations of Cubana de Aviación?
The U.S. embargo makes it difficult to acquire necessary parts for the maintenance of airplanes, according to Cuban authorities. This issue has contributed to Cubana de Aviación operating with only two aircraft, impacting air connectivity in the country.
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