A new American airline has decided to cut its flights to Cuba. Southwest Airlines has requested a temporary exemption from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reduce its route from two to one daily flight between Tampa and Havana, starting on September 4, 2025, reported the specialized site Aviacionline.
The cut, which will extend until March 2026, represents a new setback for the thousands of Cubans who rely on these connections to visit their families, provide humanitarian aid, or simply stay close to their roots.
In its official request, Southwest acknowledges that the demand for flights between the U.S. and Cuba has become unsustainable in the short term. While it assures that the measure is temporary and market-driven, the reduction reflects an increasingly concerning trend in which routes to Cuba are becoming unprofitable for U.S. airlines.
According to Aviacionline, Southwest asserts that the measure is in the public interest, and that it will allow them to "better allocate capacity to meet the current needs of their network". Additionally, they have committed to rebooking affected passengers on their remaining daily flight or to providing them with a full refund.
In November 2023, the company permanently canceled its route between Fort Lauderdale and Havana citing a lack of profitability, leaving only the connection from Tampa active.
Then, the company offered as an alternative to connect in that city in western Florida. But for many Cubans, especially in South Florida, that change meant additional expenses, lost time, and less accessibility to see their loved ones.
A declining market: American and United also reverse course
Southwest is not alone. American Airlines, the largest operator of flights between the U.S. and Cuba, has also recently requested to temporarily suspend its route between Miami and Santiago de Cuba, leaving eastern Cuba without a direct connection to U.S. territory.
On its part, United Airlines announced that it will completely suspend its connection between Houston and Havana starting September 2, eliminating the only regular route between Cuba and a city outside of Florida.
The airline cited low demand, seasonality, and the tightening of the regulatory environment as reasons for its decision.
In a scenario where tourism from the U.S. to Cuba is prohibited and traveling has turned into a race of bureaucratic and financial hurdles, these decisions confine Cubans, both on the island and abroad, to a present filled with separation and uncertainty.
In June, the Donald Trump administration imposed new immigration barriers, limiting the entry of Cubans with B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, and requiring bonds from travelers with entry permission. Although the measures do not directly cancel flights, they drastically reduce the number of Cubans with a real possibility to travel.
For their part, Southwest, United, and American Airlines promise that their cuts are temporary. But for many Cuban families, the wait has become eternal.
Impact of the reduction in flights between Cuba and the U.S.
Why has Southwest Airlines reduced its flights to Cuba?
Southwest Airlines has reduced its flights to Cuba due to low demand and the lack of profitability on the routes. The airline has requested a temporary exemption from the U.S. Department of Transportation to cut its flights between Tampa and Havana from two to one daily, a measure that will be in effect until March 2026. Southwest claims that these adjustments will allow it to better allocate its capacity to meet the current needs of its network, but it reflects a concerning trend of decreasing flights between the U.S. and Cuba.
What other airlines have suspended flights to Cuba?
United Airlines and American Airlines have also suspended flights to Cuba. United announced the suspension of its route between Houston and Havana due to low demand and a complicated regulatory environment. Meanwhile, American Airlines has requested to temporarily suspend its flight between Miami and Santiago de Cuba, leaving this city without a direct connection to the U.S. The situation reflects a setback in the air links between the two countries.
What impact do flight restrictions have on Cuban families?
The flight restrictions complicate family reunification and the delivery of humanitarian aid. For many Cubans, especially those living in South Florida, the reduction in flights means higher costs, wasted time, and less accessibility to visit their loved ones. The decrease in flights not only affects passengers but also limits the transport of essential goods for families in Cuba.
How do U.S. immigration policies affect flights to Cuba?
The restrictive immigration policies of the U.S. have significantly reduced the demand for flights to Cuba. The administration of Donald Trump imposed new visa restrictions, affecting the economic viability of air routes. These policies have created an environment of uncertainty for airlines, leading several to suspend their operations to the island due to low demand and the tightening of the regulatory environment.
Filed under:
