A Cuban traveler arriving from Mexico expressed shock at the state of disrepair of Terminal 1 at Havana's José Martí International Airport, likening it to a neglected baseball field.
Reinaldo López Vázquez took to Facebook to voice his dismay after entering the terminal designated for domestic flights, intending to continue his journey to Santiago de Cuba. He described the terminal as being shrouded in darkness. "It looked like a baseball field where no games have been played for a long time," he wrote, expressing his frustration on the social media platform.
Upon inquiring with an airport employee about the terminal's neglected state, López was told, "Why do you want to go in if there's not even bread?" This response highlighted the poor quality of services and offerings at the location.
His unfortunate experience continued with a delayed flight, causing him to arrive in Santiago de Cuba at 2:00 AM. López noted that he had landed at Havana's airport from Mérida at 2:30 PM the previous day. In total, the journey from the capital to Santiago de Cuba took nearly 12 hours.
The experience served as a stark reminder of the conditions in the Caribbean nation. "It felt like they wanted to remind me, clarify, and say loud and clear: Don’t get your hopes up, you've just arrived in Cuba," he commented.
Impact of Economic Crisis on Airport Services
The ongoing economic crisis impacts all aspects of Cuban life, including airport services. Several reports highlight the lack of maintenance, poor condition of facilities, and subpar services.
In March, the country's severe energy crisis became evident at Cuba's main airport terminal, which experienced a blackout, catching many users off guard. The Instagram user un_martitodurako8_live_oficial shared a video of the darkened terminal with people waiting for the power to be restored, halting airport operations.
In February, a Peruvian tourist who visited Cuba also highlighted the deteriorating state of Havana's airport, describing it as one of the oldest he had ever seen. "It still has the essence of airports from the 60s, 50s, and 40s," said content creator Mauricio Isat, known as Pasaje en Mano Perú on social media, through a video uploaded to TikTok.
FAQs about the Condition of Havana's José Martí International Airport
Given the significant concerns raised about the conditions at Havana's José Martí International Airport, here are some frequently asked questions and answers that may help travelers.
What are the current conditions at José Martí International Airport?
The airport has been reported to be in a state of disrepair, with poor lighting, lack of maintenance, and inadequate services. Travelers have described it as looking abandoned and neglected.
How has the economic crisis affected the airport services?
The economic crisis has led to significant resource shortages, impacting maintenance and service quality at the airport. This has resulted in frequent power outages and a general decline in the condition of facilities.
Are there any efforts to improve the airport?
There is currently no public information on efforts to improve the conditions at José Martí International Airport. Travelers are advised to prepare for potential inconveniences when using the airport.