The Brazilian airline Gol could soon begin flights to Havana. According to Colombia's Civil Aeronautics Authority, Gol has requested a new international route to link Brasília with the Cuban capital, making a stop at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. Gol plans to operate seven weekly flights to Havana from Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport in Brasília.
The airline intends to use Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, which have a capacity of 186 seats, divided into 30 business class seats and 156 economy class seats. Gol's request for a route to Havana is based on the fifth freedom of the air, which allows airlines to disembark passengers, cargo, and mail at any point along the route, benefiting both the company and travelers by facilitating connections, according to Prensa Latina. The South American company already exercises this right on its routes between Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina.
The announcement did not specify when Gol might start flying to Havana or provide an estimated ticket price. Gol began operations in 2001 and currently holds over a third of Brazil's domestic market, in addition to flying to other Latin American countries.
Crisis of Connectivity Between Cuba and South America
This request comes at a delicate time for the island, as several airlines have ceased flights to Havana in recent months, citing the unprofitability of the route. Notably, Brazil is not among the primary sources of travelers to Cuba, raising doubts about the high number of weekly frequencies proposed. In mid-June, the Colombian airline Avianca announced the suspension of its plans to resume Bogotá-Havana flights from July 2.
Avianca attributed the cancellation to "operational issues" without specifying a new date for the route's return. Also in June, Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) announced it would suspend its route between Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Havana starting July 25, 2024. This route had only been in operation for nine months. The main airline of the South American nation did not clarify the reason for the cancellation, though industry analysts suggest such actions usually occur when the business is unsustainable and generates losses.
Additionally, at the beginning of this year, Aerolíneas Argentinas announced the cessation of its operations to the Cuban capital. The recovery of tourism in Cuba after the pandemic has been much slower compared to other Caribbean countries.
The Cuban government has repeatedly failed to meet its tourist arrival targets for nearly five years, yet continues to build new luxury hotels that remain mostly empty throughout the year. In 2023, the plan was to welcome 3.5 million tourists, but the island only reached about 70 percent of that goal.
Questions About Gol's New Route to Havana
Given the recent developments, travelers and industry insiders have several questions about Gol's potential new route to Havana. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to provide more insight.
When is Gol expected to start flights to Havana?
The announcement did not specify a start date for Gol's flights to Havana.
What type of aircraft will Gol use for the Havana route?
Gol plans to use Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft for its flights to Havana.
Why have other airlines ceased their operations to Havana?
Several airlines have stopped flying to Havana due to the unprofitability of the route and operational issues.
How has Cuba's tourism recovery been compared to other Caribbean countries?
Cuba's tourism recovery has been much slower than other Caribbean nations since the pandemic.