A Cuban woman was taken aback by the outrageous prices at a café in Havana's José Martí International Airport, where sweets range from 700 to 2,000 pesos. During her visit, she captured a video on TikTok (@cuba.live2) showcasing the café's offerings, which included coffee, soft drinks, cookies, and sorbets. She highlighted the stark contrast between these prices and the average Cuban's purchasing power.
The woman described the airport as dominated by cafes and souvenir shops, noting that while there is a variety of products available, the steep prices make many items unattainable for local travelers. She also pointed out that alongside these cafes, other airport facilities such as airlines and currency exchange offices create a glaring contrast between the luxury of the shops and the economic reality faced by most Cubans.
Modern Facilities Amid Economic Hardship
In another video, she continued to explore the airport, depicting an area filled with small businesses, travel agencies, shops, and even a market. "There's a completely different vibe here," she commented, emphasizing the presence of screens for watching soccer, cafes with seating areas, and the pervasive aroma of food and coffee that characterizes the space.
Despite the airport's modern image and array of options for travelers, the exorbitant prices in its establishments underscore the economic disparity within the country. For many Cubans, these places seem designed solely for those with access to foreign currency or high incomes, excluding the majority of the population.
She concluded her tour by showing how travelers move from the cafes and small businesses to the parking area and terminal that connects to the main road, painting a picture of the economic inequalities even in a transit hub like the airport.
Past Controversies and Criticisms
The José Martí International Airport has faced numerous criticisms in the past. In 2023, a Cuban woman reported a scam involving her mother at a store. As Yanisel Leyva shared on Facebook's "Cubans in Spain" group, her mother was overcharged for three boxes of cigarettes at a store operating in freely convertible currency (MLC) outside terminal three of the airport. "Each box was priced at 1 and a bit, but she was charged 12.22€ for all three, which didn’t exceed 4€ total," Leyva wrote, explaining that her mother, stressed from traveling, didn’t realize the discrepancy, and the attendant took advantage by not disclosing the total and simply overcharging her.
Last October, the airport was plunged into darkness due to a massive blackout affecting Cuba. However, the regime insisted that flights could land without issues, thanks to backup generators. In a statement, the Cuban Aviation Corporation (CACSA) assured that international airports in the country, including their services and systems, have energy backups to ensure aircraft operation.