Havana/The demand for Colombia’s flights to Cuba has decreased in recent months and the airlines that make the journey could be flying “with less than 70%” capacity towards the island. According to an expert Consulted by Reporturthe numbers are not profitable for the Panamanian Cup and the Colombian Wingo and Avianca, but none has given signs of wanting to suspend their route.
“No one has come out and they fly in Holy Week, but the demand has not recovered. The three airlines are flying, sure, with less than 70%,” explained the aeronautics expert to the environment. In order for airlines to obtain benefits, he adds, the occupation of the flights must exceed 80%, “with a good average rate, at least $ 300.”
According to the source of Reporturthe island has experienced some hotel recovery since foreign companies have been responsible for buying and importing their own products and food – the Spanish Meliá even created its own Importer companyMesol–. However, unlike what companies expected, that has not translated into an increase in flights and passengers, at least not from Colombia. “Demand has not recovered,” ditch.
The interviewee did not say if the situation is the same on the opposite route, from Havana to Bogotá
The interviewee did not say if the situation is the same on the opposite route, from Havana to Bogotá, who has also lost potential travelers with the closure of the southern border of the United States and the prohibition to Cubans to reach Colombia without a visa.
Just last year the country served as a trampoline to travel to Nicaragua in a cheapest way, but the requirement of a entry permit Trochó the trips of many Cubans and put Wingo, the airline they used, in the midst of the controversy.
In July 2024, the company suddenly announced that it would prevent Cubans from having a traveler visa to address their airplanes. Until that time, many were traveling to Bogotá, where they went up to another flight to Nicaragua without the need for a permission, but Wingo justified his measure with a decision of the Colombian government.
According to Wingo, his requirement fits the clarifications of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which in a statement on July 4 stated that “Cuban travelers whose final destination is Colombia and wish to enter the national territory must process a visa according to the purpose of their visit.” According to the airline, this was the case of its passengers, which it does not consider in transit since its offer does not include flights to Nicaragua, the country most demanded by Cubans.
Consulted by ’14ymedio’, the sub -direction of migratory control of that country denied the statements of the airline
Consulted by 14ymediothe Subdirectorate of Migratory Control of that country denied the statements of the airline: “Resolution 3717 of May 23, 2023, establishes that Cuban citizens do not require visa to carry out direct airport traffic to a third state in the international airports of Colombia.” However, Wingo held his measure, which coincided with the sanctions imposed by Washington to some airlines that “facilitate” migration to their territory.
Avianca, on the other hand, does not seem to notice the effects of the loss of clientele and last December inaugurated a new daily route from Havana to Bogotá. The company had no presence on the island since 2020 and had already made an attempt to return in July last year, but a month before it announced that it would postpone the flights until new notice alleging “operational issues”.
A few months later They reported their final return: “We are happy to be able to land in Havana for the closing of this year with a new direct route that will allow millions of passengers to connect from different parts of the world with the history, gastronomy and culture of Havana, through Bogotá,” David Alemán, sales director for Colombia and South America of Avianca, said in a statement.
However, things have changed since then. The island has lost more prestige as a tourist destination, especially in front of other more juicy options in the Caribbean himself, and the number of Cubans flewing in Avianca to final destination the United States has also declined since the arrival of Donald Trump to the White House.
