Facing pressure to maintain international connectivity and boost tourist arrivals, the Cuban regime is in negotiations to sustain flights between Luanda and Havana, routes that were restarted in 2022 and are now at risk of being suspended again. On Tuesday, the Cuban Aviation Corporation S.A. held a crucial meeting with representatives from TAAG Angola Airlines to discuss the resumption of flights between the two capitals. This effort aims to create new opportunities for tourism and enhance cultural exchanges between the nations, as stated in a recent Facebook post.
Key figures from the airline attended the meeting, including Antonio Mutondo, the commercial director; Joelson Vasconcelo, the director of Network & Planning; Antonio José Feliciano, the operations director; and Bernardo Aosta from TAAG's Havana office. Progress on restarting these flights, which have been suspended since October amid Cuba's widespread crisis, is expected to be announced soon.
The Historical Context of Luanda-Havana Flights
TAAG operated flights between Luanda and Havana sporadically from 1984 until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced operations to cease. The flights resumed in 2022, initially with bi-weekly trips, eventually increasing to weekly services. According to reports from the José Martí Airport Telegram channel and Ecasa, TAAG continued to fly to Havana up until this October, when services were reportedly halted.
The Tourism Challenge in Cuba
Cuba is currently grappling with significant challenges in its tourism sector, reflected in declining visitor numbers, and cannot afford to lose connections with countries that supply tourists. Statistics from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reveal that between January and July 2024, Cuba welcomed 1,905,644 travelers. This marks a decrease of 15,263 visitors compared to the same period in the previous year. The situation is alarming, especially as nearby destinations like Punta Cana and Cancún continue to attract growing numbers of tourists.