Viva Aerobus flights between Cuba and Nicaragua, one of the main escape routes for Cubans intending to emigrate to the United States, have been suspended, several travel agencies that work between Mexico and the United States reported this Friday.
“We will not operate any more flights to Managua from any of the routes that we currently fly, with the two flights on 04/09 (Havana-Cancun-Managua and Santa Clara-Cancun-Managua) being the last to operate,” public in its social networks the Travel Portal agency.
“Flights to Managua by Viva Aerobús have just been suspended for dates after April 9,” reported for its part, the Vagamundos agency, based in Mexico.
The companies clarified that all passengers with paid tickets from April 10 onwards will receive a 100% refund of the ticket and that the return of the money could take between 21 and 45 days.
“Again we tell you that the agency, the charter company and the airline are not involved in this decision that affects everyone and we ask for your understanding on this issue,” Vagamundos clarified without specifying whether it is the result of an agreement between the Cuban government and the administration. by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
“Flights to Managua by Viva Aerobús have just been suspended for dates after April 9”
Last Wednesday, the governments of Cuba and Mexico concluded the fifteenth round of talks on the immigration issue where both parties undertook to “guarantee a regular, orderly and safe flow of travellers”. The meeting took place prior to the visit in May of the Mexican president, López Obrador, to the island.
The wording of 14ymedio in Mexico he tried to contact some travel agencies that operate in the country but they did not answer the calls or sent automatic messages without providing more information. A communication was also sent to Viva Aerobus management in case there is an official response from the airline, but no response has been received so far.
The flights operated by Viva Aerobus, which connected several Cuban cities with Managua, generally went to the Island with very few passengers and left the country full to Cancun where they made a technical stopover before continuing on to Managua.
“I flew to Cuba about 15 days ago and there were only 12 passengers on the plane. When we returned there could not be another soul on that plane and, except for nine passengers, we got off in Cancun, the rest, more than 200, went to Managua,” account to 14ymedio a Cuban resident in Mexico who was in Santiago de Cuba visiting his children.
“The faces of all those who continued to Nicaragua told you that they were not returning to Cuba. They had a look of sadness and anxiety, typical of those who get on a plane and know that they will not return to their country. I know because years ago I spent for the same,” he added.
The flights operated by Viva Aerobus, which connected several Cuban cities with Managua, generally went to the Island with very few passengers and left the country full to Cancun.
Viva Aerobus connected Havana, Varadero, Santa Clara, Holguín and Santiago de Cuba with Managua, although the tickets were managed only by travel agencies that charged $3,500 for a round ticket.
On April 6, the companies had announced that the sales of new reservations to Nicaragua had been stopped “momentarily” and that it was “an occasional brake on sales” as had happened previously.
Until that date, the agencies were managing waiting lists due to the great demand of clients who wanted to fly to Nicaragua by this route, which, although it had a high price, was one of the most sought-after alternatives because other airlines sell tickets for up to 4,500 Dollars.
Due to the suspension of flights to Managua, the agencies also have reported that Viva Aerobus eliminates some routes from next Sunday, including Cancun-Holguín, Cancun-Varadero and Cancun-Santiago de Cuba.
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