The operational disarray at Abel Santamaría International Airport in Santa Clara has been laid bare on social media, as videos and images circulate showing overcrowded halls filled with luggage, particularly from travelers arriving from the United States. Univision 23 journalist Mario Vallejo shared visuals depicting the apparent disorder in baggage handling and expressed his disbelief upon confirming the authenticity of the scenes.
“Seriously? When I received these images, I couldn't believe it. I had to make calls to the Santa Clara airport to convince myself it wasn't an AI-generated hoax,” wrote Vallejo, highlighting that the issue is rooted in the operations of charter flights. According to Vallejo, these companies allow passengers to transport large amounts of luggage by paying between two and three dollars per pound, often leading to a backlog of suitcases not reaching their destinations on time.
As per a source close to airport operations cited by Vallejo, when the aircraft reaches its weight limit, charter companies leave some luggage behind, especially in Miami, to send it later on cargo flights. This practice, he claims, contributes to logistical chaos and situations like those documented in his report. The post has sparked debate on social media, with some criticizing the airport's management and others pointing to airline restrictions as an exacerbating factor.
Affected passengers shared their stories, revealing that luggage handling issues are not isolated incidents but a recurring problem across the island's airports. “It happened to me; to get my suitcase, I had to pay (bribe), and besides, I traveled to Placetas, meaning I also had to pay for transportation to pick up the luggage. I spent an entire day of my weekend trip at the airport,” a user commented, highlighting not only delays but questionable practices within the airport system.
Another traveler recounted a similar experience at Havana’s José Martí Airport: “Incredible, the same thing is happening at José Martí airport right now. Finding the packages is a problem because there’s no organization, and they arrived a week after the flight. Imagine the travelers from Oriente who had to pay exorbitant fares to return and collect their packages. The Cuban goes through a lot.”
Some internet users pointed out that this situation is not new. “This is old news; my last trip to the United States was in 2020 through that airport. This has been happening for years and at any airport in Cuba. It happened to me at Havana’s airport in 2019,” noted another user. Meanwhile, airport authorities have not released an official statement regarding the matter.
This issue arises amidst the Cuban government's extension, until January 31, 2025, of the tariff exemption for importing food, hygiene products, and medicines by travelers entering the country. This measure, in place since July 2021, aims to alleviate the scarcity of basic goods in the national market. However, the high demand for these items and the leniency in their importation may be contributing to saturation and disorganization at airports, worsening baggage management issues.
On another note, preliminary data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) indicates that by November 2024, 266,625 visitors from the Cuban community abroad were recorded, marking an 18% decrease compared to the 325,292 visitors during the same period in 2023. Factors such as the ongoing economic crisis in the country, restrictions, and rising prices of international flights, cancellations of direct flights by various airlines, and a politically tense environment affecting relations between residents abroad and the Cuban government have impacted the influx of Cuban residents from abroad and international tourists to the island.
Understanding the Baggage Chaos at Cuban Airports
Why is there a luggage handling issue at Santa Clara Airport?
The problem at Santa Clara Airport stems from charter flight operations that allow passengers to carry excessive luggage, resulting in delays and logistical chaos.
How do charter companies contribute to the baggage backlog?
Charter companies sometimes leave luggage behind when a plane reaches its weight limit, particularly in Miami, and send it later on cargo flights, causing delays.
What measures has the Cuban government taken regarding imports?
The Cuban government has extended a tariff exemption for importing food, hygiene products, and medicines to alleviate shortages, which may be contributing to airport congestion.