This Monday, Cubana de Aviación announced an additional flight between Havana and Nueva Gerona on the Isla de la Juventud, with a stipulation that passengers must book their tickets in person. This requirement arises due to disruptions caused by the collapse of the National Electric System.
The flight is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, at 12:45 p.m. from Terminal 1 of José Martí International Airport. Those wishing to secure a seat will need to visit the terminal in person.
In an official statement, the airline made it clear that it would not be accepting reservations via phone or other usual channels.
"Due to the current electrical issues affecting the country, reservations for this particular operation will not be managed through other means," the statement highlighted.
This announcement came shortly after Cuba experienced yet another collapse of its National Electric System, marking the third such incident this year and the seventh over the past 18 months.
The power outage also disrupted the computer and communication systems used for managing bookings, forcing the company to rely solely on in-person transactions.
The route between Havana and Nueva Gerona was initially suspended in November 2025 due to technical issues with the fleet but resumed in February this year with two weekly flights, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The flight announced for Tuesday serves as an additional operation to this regular schedule. At present, Cubana de Aviación remains the only airline providing regular domestic flights to Isla de la Juventud.
This measure further illustrates the severe impact the energy crisis is having on public services across Cuba. Prior to Monday's blackout, the Electric Union had forecasted a deficit exceeding 2,000 megawatts, with available power generation falling significantly short of the national demand.
Isla de la Juventud is one of the areas hardest hit by power outages. In recent weeks, residents of this special municipality have reported power cuts lasting up to 22 hours a day, severely affecting daily life and communication with the rest of the country.
The necessity for travelers to personally visit the airport to reserve a ticket presents another hurdle in a context where prolonged blackouts continue to impact the population and disrupt state services.
Impact of the Energy Crisis on Cuban Air Travel
Why does Cubana de Aviación require in-person ticket booking?
Due to disruptions in the National Electric System, the airline's usual reservation systems are offline, necessitating in-person bookings.
What is the current flight schedule between Havana and Nueva Gerona?
The route typically operates with two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the announced additional flight marking an exception.
How has the energy crisis affected public services in Cuba?
The crisis has led to severe power outages, disrupting daily life and essential services, including transportation and communication systems.