The “Juan Gualberto Gómez Ferrer” International Airport in Varadero announced on Tuesday two simultaneous tender documents for leasing commercial spaces in its facilities: one designated for office use in the outdoor area and the other two for pharmacies within the terminal.
The first invitation offers a space of 7.5 m² located near the airport parking lot, with a price per m² to be determined by agreement between the parties. The second—identified as "2nd Invitation"—provides two locations for pharmacies: one of six m² in the final waiting area and another of four m² in the traffic area.
Unlike office space, the rental rate for pharmacy locations is set at U.S. dollars per m² per month, with payments due within 30 days from the date of invoice issuance, reflecting the manager's pursuit of revenue in foreign currency.
Both tenders were published by the Base Business Unit (UEB) Varadero Airport, which is part of the Cuban Airports and Airport Services Company S.A. (ECASA), and are signed by Yenma Boffill Navarro, head of the Commercial Department.
The deadline to submit sealed bids is November 9th, at the UEB office located at Carretera Mártires de Barbados Km. 5.6, Finca Cabarroca, Carbonera, Matanzas. Interested parties must include a letter of application, founding documents, a certificate of no debt issued by the ONAT, the project name, budget, and a description of the planned activities.
The winning tenant may not assign or sublease the space, and their workers must be accredited by the airport authorities.
The label "2nd Call" on the pharmacy recruitment indicates that a previous round for those same locations went unawarded, highlighting the challenges of attracting operators in an airport with minimal activity.
These tenders are part of a sustained strategy by ECASA to generate alternative income in light of the paralysis affecting Cuban aviation.
Since February 10, 2026, the nine international airports in Cuba have been lacking Jet A-1 fuel, which resulted in over 1,700 flight cancellations and the departure of at least 11 airlines, including Air Canada, Iberia, and Turkish Airlines.
In that context, Varadero had already put out to tender its fuel storage tanks in June, and in July leased offices to private businesses. In August, the Santiago de Cuba airport followed suit with a tender for outdoor dining spaces.
Currently, American Airlines operates almost exclusively as the only airline with regular direct flights to Varadero, with connections from Miami.
The opening of the sealed envelopes for both bids is scheduled for November 12 at 9:30 AM, in the presence of the public notary Lic. Yaneisy Ruiz Morales, at the UEB headquarters in Carbonera, Matanzas.
Related videos:
Filed under: