Havana/Starting in July, the airline Air Europa will add a new flight between Madrid and Havana, giving it four trips per week between Spain and Cuba. With this decision, Juan José Hidalgo’s company remains the only Spanish company that operates air transfers to the Island after the withdrawal of Iberia, World2Fly and Plus Ultra.
However, the company warned the Europa Press agency that the programming is subject to “continuous monitoring of the evolution of the route, analyzing both its behavior and existing demand.”
If the numbers are favorable, Air Europa plans to “raise the frequencies to six in November,” according to the newspaper. Preferentialbut has insisted that “the initial planning could be adjusted based on various factors.” On the airline’s website, flights are available on July 20 with a cost of $905 and the cheapest ticket is for the 27th of the same month at $785.
The company is consolidating itself in the transfer market from Spain – the second country of origin for Cuban travelers residing abroad. Although the bet is surprising in the midst of the economic crisis, blackouts and fuel shortages that Cuba is experiencing. In addition, it challenges the US Government of Donald Trump, which has put pressure on companies that maintain activity on the Island, given that Air Europa has flights to Miami and New York.
If the numbers are favorable, Air Europa plans to “raise the frequencies to six in November”, according to the newspaper ‘Preferente’.
To this we must add that since last February, due to US pressure on fuel supplies, the José Martí international airport in Havana has suffered the kerosene shortageso Air Europa’s Boeing 787s have had to stop in Punta Cana to refuel, instead of in Santo Domingo.
Air Europa’s commitment comes six months after Juan José Hidalgo entered into a partnership with Turkish Airlines and IAG. The agreement, said the Spanish businessman, gave him “a total break” and he was able to pay the debts after negotiations with the German Lufthansa. “They wanted to govern the company, but as long as I am alive and healthy and well, I will not let anyone but me govern Air Europa.”
Air Europa’s decision is contrary to that of Delta Airlines, which this week canceled its direct route between Havana and Atlanta due to the reduction in demand for travel to the Island. Another airline that has presented the same problem is Southwest Airlines, which maintains a daily flight from Tampa to Havana.
Among the other international companies that still have flights to Cuba is Copa Airlines, from Panama, with daily flights to Havana, Santa Clara and Holguín; in addition to Air China, which operates the Beijing–Madrid–Havana route.
Also remaining to a much lesser extent are Aeroméxico, Conviasa, Wingo, Caribbean Airlines, InterCaribbean Airways, Cayman Airways, TAAG Angola Airlines, Bahamasair, Rutaca, Aruba Airlines, Fly All Ways, Sky High and Neos, in addition to charter flights from the United States and the Caribbean.
