The Spanish airline Iberojet has initiated flights to Santa Clara from Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. On Tuesday, the first flight landed at Abel Santamaría International Airport carrying 384 passengers bound for Cayo Santa María, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad.
According to a Facebook post by the local channel Telecubanacán, flights from Portugal to Santa Clara's airport will operate weekly, every Tuesday. "With the Cuban spirit that defines us, we welcome the airline Iberojet with the traditional water cannon salute by the firefighters," the airport announced on its Facebook profile.
Passengers and crew were greeted with drinks and a small show featuring Cuban musicians, rumba dancers, stilt walkers, and even a juggler. This summer, Iberojet will also start flying to Santa Clara from Madrid, with the first flight scheduled for July 17. "We connect Madrid with this unique destination in Cuba," the airline stated on Twitter.
On June 1, the Spanish company resumed its seasonal operations from Portugal, which will continue until October. The first flight carried 382 passengers to Varadero, with weekly frequency. Late last year, the company announced the cancellation of its flights to Havana starting January 2024. Previously, in August, it had announced the suspension of its Madrid-Santiago de Cuba route starting in October due to "operational reasons."
However, last April, Iberojet revealed the resumption of its operations to Varadero from June 1 to October 5, and the opening of the Madrid-Santa Clara route from July 17 to September 4, with a flight every Wednesday.
Iberojet Flights to Santa Clara: Key Information
In response to the recent launch of Iberojet's flights to Santa Clara from Lisbon, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
How often will Iberojet fly from Lisbon to Santa Clara?
Iberojet will operate weekly flights from Lisbon to Santa Clara every Tuesday.
When will Iberojet start flying from Madrid to Santa Clara?
Iberojet will begin its flights from Madrid to Santa Clara on July 17, with weekly flights every Wednesday until September 4.
Why did Iberojet cancel its flights to Havana?
Iberojet announced the cancellation of its flights to Havana starting January 2024, citing operational reasons for the decision.