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The Cuban regime has decided to allocate a substantial investment for the expansion of the Santiago de Cuba airport, despite the stagnation of tourism in the city and the low demand for air travel.
The announcement was made this Thursday by the Minister of Transport through his profile on Facebook, where he detailed that the "Antonio Maceo Grajales" terminal, the main air gateway in the east of the country, will undergo a comprehensive reconfiguration to double its current capacity.
The project involves completely redesigning the arrival and departure halls, while the ground floor will house the arrival areas—both domestic and international—with independent flows, which would facilitate faster baggage handling.
On the upper floor, the Departure Lounge will be opened, accessible via escalators and elevators.
In addition, new baggage belts will be installed, along with more modern immigration control booths and an updated climate control system.
According to the official text, the aim is to "enhance the comfort and quality of services for passengers, airlines, and the general public."
Authorities insist that the airport is strategic for the economic and tourism development of the eastern region, although Santiago de Cuba receives very few international flights regularly and the local tourism infrastructure is poor.
The work is scheduled to be carried out between 2026 and 2027 and, according to what has been announced, it will not disrupt the current operations of the airport terminal.
In this regard, measures will be implemented to minimize disruptions to passengers.
This remodeling comes amid growing questions about state priorities.
A recent parliamentary inspection revealed a bleak situation in 19 of the 22 airports in the country: deteriorated runways, restrooms without water or supplies, malfunctioning technology systems, and terminals in a state of evident neglect.
In contrast to the million-dollar investment announced, airports like Ciego de Ávila have practically fallen into ruin after years without flights or maintenance, becoming "museums of failure" where cows graze on what used to be runways.
Additionally, the Varadero airport has faced criticism due to the complete lack of lighting and signage at its entrances, a situation that raises concerns, especially in the second most important tourist destination on the island.
While this renovation is being promoted in Santiago de Cuba, issues with air connectivity persist, there is low international demand, and a stagnant tourism in areas that are not part of the major hubs like Varadero or Cayo Coco.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Renovation of Santiago de Cuba Airport
What is the main objective of the remodeling of Santiago de Cuba airport?
The main objective is to double the current capacity of the "Antonio Maceo Grajales" airport through a comprehensive reconfiguration that includes improvements to the arrival and departure lounges, as well as upgrades to the climate control system and immigration control.
How will the renovation of Santiago de Cuba airport be financed?
The project will be financed through a multimillion-dollar investment from the Cuban regime, despite criticism regarding the stagnation of tourism in the region and the low air traffic demand. This investment is part of a broader program aimed at improving the country's airport infrastructure, led by the Civil Aviation Corporation.
When will the renovations of Santiago de Cuba airport take place?
The works are scheduled to be carried out between 2026 and 2027. Measures will be implemented to minimize disruptions for passengers and it is expected that current operations at the airport terminal will not be interrupted during the renovation.
How will this renovation impact tourism in Santiago de Cuba?
Although the authorities claim that the airport is strategic for the economic and tourist development of the eastern region, Santiago de Cuba hardly receives international flights on a regular basis and the local tourist infrastructure is inadequate. Therefore, it is uncertain whether this renovation will succeed in encouraging the arrival of tourists.
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