Once more, Cubana Airlines has altered its domestic flight schedule, compelling passengers to either reschedule their trips or seek refunds. This decision has sparked a wave of criticism against the airline.
The announcement was made on the airline's Facebook page, where it was revealed that an increase in certain route frequencies led to a complete overhaul of their itinerary.
Contrary to enhancing connectivity, these changes have removed some previously available options, leaving several provinces without service.
Reduced Flight Availability from Havana
Under the new plan, only six weekly flights will depart from Havana: two to Holguín and four to Santiago de Cuba, with the same number of return flights.
Routes to places like Camagüey and Nueva Gerona are eliminated, and destinations such as Las Tunas, Moa, Guantánamo, Manzanillo, and Baracoa remain neglected, despite frequent user complaints.
Public Outcry Over Ignored Provinces
The discontent among Cubans quickly surfaced in responses to the airline's post.
Questions like, "Is there really no Havana-Camagüey flight?" and "How can there not be a single flight to Camagüey all week?" were posed by users.
A resident of Baracoa in Havana asked, "And Baracoa, when will there be service?"
An online commenter went further: "Las Tunas, Moa, Baracoa, Guantánamo, Manzanillo, none of these routes exist anymore. And soon they'll deactivate Nueva Gerona too."
Challenges for Isla de la Juventud Residents
For those living on the Isle of Youth, the frustration is even greater: "We're trapped on this island. Please...!" pleaded an elderly woman who has no land alternative and relies on a ferry that often fails to operate due to either fuel shortages or bad weather.
Inconvenient Night-Time Flights
A persistent source of complaints is the decision to keep flights scheduled at night, causing significant inconvenience.
Travelers note that, with the transportation crisis, reaching or leaving an airport at such hours is nearly impossible.
"Those from outside Havana have to sleep at the terminal at that hour. There's no way to get around, and a private car would charge a fortune," remarked one traveler.
Refunds and Rescheduling: The State's Only Offer
The airline urges affected passengers to visit Cubana offices—many of which are plagued by long lines—to request a refund or reschedule "subject to availability."
This means those who had planned trips weeks or months in advance must start the booking process from scratch, with no assurance of securing a seat.
The government maintains that tickets should only be purchased through the official site or Cubana offices, despite numerous complaints that the online portal is dysfunctional.
"How can you book a domestic flight through the site? It only allows purchases for international airports," a young woman questioned.
A Backward Step for the Airline
In October, Cubana announced another adjustment to its domestic flight schedule amid public discontent. At that time, at least routes to Camagüey and Nueva Gerona were retained, which are now removed.
This indicates that not only has the government failed to restore the domestic flight network, but it has further reduced it, leaving the population more disconnected than ever.
A Collapsed System
The root of the issue lies in the structural deficiencies of Cuban air transport.
Earlier this year, Joel Archer Santos, president of the Cuban Aviation Corporation (Cacsa), confirmed that Cubana Airlines operates with just two planes for the entire island.
The government blames the U.S. embargo for the crisis, claiming that replacement parts must be imported from third countries, causing delays.
However, citizens argue that poor planning, state mismanagement, and a lack of real infrastructure investment are critical factors.
Another recurring issue is the lack of alternatives when a flight is canceled. Cubana refunds the money but doesn't provide substitute transport options, which users claim violates minimum international standards.
Plummeting Transportation Statistics
Official statistics reveal a significant decline in public transportation in Cuba:
- A drop of more than 12% in 2024.
- A 23% decline in the first quarter of 2025.
- 13.7 million fewer people transported than the previous year.
This bleak scenario explains why Cubana Airlines' decisions provoke immediate outrage: for many Cubans, air travel is the only quick means to traverse the country.
The central critique remains: the state—the sole operator of national aviation—makes decisions without considering the real needs of the population.
The result is a nation increasingly disconnected, with fewer routes, fewer flights, fewer planes, and no real alternatives for millions of travelers.
Meanwhile, the airline offers apologies and refunds, but no solutions.
Understanding Cubana Airlines' Recent Changes
Why has Cubana Airlines changed its flight schedule?
Cubana Airlines announced changes due to an increase in frequency on certain routes, necessitating a complete reorganization of their schedule.
Which routes have been affected by these changes?
Flights to Camagüey, Nueva Gerona, Las Tunas, Moa, Guantánamo, Manzanillo, and Baracoa are no longer available under the new schedule.
What options do passengers have if their flight is canceled?
Passengers can visit Cubana offices to request a refund or reschedule their flight, although availability is not guaranteed.