After being suspended for more than a year, air travel between Isla de la Juventud and Havana was reinstated this Thursday with the inaugural flight reconnecting Nueva Gerona to the Cuban capital, according to official sources. Cubana de Aviación, the national airline, announced in a statement that the Havana-Gerona route will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, marking the reopening of flights to Rafael Cabrera Airport in the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud.
The first flight took off on Thursday morning as part of a "first stage" that will continue until March 27, as reported by the local TV station Islavisión. Héctor Simón, the deputy director of operations, mentioned to the state-run media that despite the current challenges, the aim is to sustain and expand the service to this special municipality due to its significance for the local population.
The ticket price remains at 300 CUP "for now," as clarified by Islavisión. They also noted that, based on public demand, a decision was made to merge the waiting list with that of "Viajero," offering "two opportunities and a single destination."
Meanwhile, Cubana de Aviación stated that their commercial offices will begin selling tickets for this route "based on existing availability." However, the state-run airline did not specify which aircraft will be used for these flights. Based on images shared by Islavisión, it appears the aircraft used for the initial journey may be rented.
The local broadcaster praised the resumption of flights as "another opportunity for the people of Isla de la Juventud," without addressing the ongoing instability of this transport service. This instability also affects ferry travel between the special municipality and the main island, causing inconvenience for residents needing this route.
In June 2023, Cubana de Aviación had already resumed flights on the Havana-Gerona route, which had been halted four months prior due to "a lack of available aircraft due to technical issues." At that time, the airline offered four weekly flights. Now, over a year later, the service recommences but with only two weekly frequencies.
In addition to the intermittent nature—or near-total absence—of air travel, residents of Isla de la Juventud frequently face ferry cancellations, hampering their mobility and leaving them isolated from the rest of the country.
Key Insights on Reopening Flights to Isla de la Juventud
Why were flights between Havana and Isla de la Juventud suspended?
Flights were suspended due to a lack of available aircraft, stemming from technical issues that Cubana de Aviación faced.
How often will flights operate between Havana and Isla de la Juventud?
The flights will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
What is the current ticket price for the Havana-Gerona route?
The current ticket price is 300 CUP, though this is subject to change.
What other transportation challenges do residents of Isla de la Juventud face?
Residents often face ferry cancellations, which disrupt their travel plans and isolate them from the main island of Cuba.