The state-owned airline, Cubana de Aviación, has declared an expansion in both its international and domestic flights, despite the severe challenges faced by Cuba's tourism sector. The company’s General Director, Arsenio Arocha Elías-Moisés, outlined plans to introduce two weekly flights to Germany starting November 25, 2025—one departing from Havana and the other from Holguín. Additionally, a second weekly flight to Madrid, Spain, will commence from the Cuban capital.
“During the winter, we will be connecting to Europe with two flights to Germany and two to Madrid, Spain,” Arocha stated during a television appearance. On the domestic front, the airline currently operates three flights to Santiago de Cuba, two to Holguín, two to Gerona (Isla de la Juventud), and one to Camagüey. A second flight to Camagüey will begin in June, and new routes within Cuba are planned for the summer, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Arocha emphasized that the increase in domestic flights aims to "facilitate tourist movement within the country," while the regime insists it will also "benefit the population." This strategy aims to re-establish Cuba as a competitive Caribbean tourist destination, despite significant hurdles such as deteriorating road infrastructure, fuel shortages, poor service quality, and the deplorable condition of the Ministry of Tourism's rental vehicle fleet.
Official Statistics Challenge Optimism
The National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reported that from January to March 2025, Cuba welcomed 571,772 international tourists, a significant 29.7% drop compared to the same period in 2024. This represents a decrease of 237,169 visitors from the first quarter of the previous year. Notably, there has been a sharp decline in tourists from Russia, Canada, and the Cuban diaspora.
Russian tourists were almost halved, while the Cuban diaspora numbered only 59,896, down from 75,235 in 2024. Canada's numbers—historically the largest source—fell by 31.8%, from 399,254 to 272,274 visitors. Arrivals from Germany, France, Argentina, Mexico, and Spain also saw significant declines, with just 9,827 Spanish tourists during this time frame.
Experts Warn of a Long Road to Recovery
Economist José Luis Perelló cautions that "Cuba will not reach pre-pandemic tourism levels until 2030," describing this period as a “lost decade” for one of the island’s crucial economic drivers. The announcement of new flight frequencies, while theoretically positive, emerges in a challenging context. With no energy security, outdated infrastructure, and few incentives for foreign airlines, Cuba’s tourism sector continues to decline, contrary to the regime's assertions.
Understanding Cuba's Tourism Challenges
Why is Cubana de Aviación increasing flights despite the tourism crisis?
Cubana de Aviación aims to boost tourist movement within the country and reposition Cuba as a competitive Caribbean destination, despite the current tourism downturn.
What are the main challenges facing Cuba's tourism industry?
Cuba's tourism industry is hindered by deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, poor service quality, and a decline in international tourist arrivals.
How has the number of tourists from key countries changed recently?
There has been a notable drop in tourists from Russia, Canada, and the Cuban diaspora, with Canada experiencing a 31.8% decrease in visitor numbers.