Amid a landscape where Latin American airlines like those from Argentina have exited the Cuban market, Colombian carrier Avianca has announced its imminent return to Cuba. After four years of absence, it will resume flights linking Havana with Bogotá. This news was confirmed by Cuban Tourism Minister Juan Carlos García Granda in a video shared by Aviation Colombia's Civil Authority's X account.
"We are establishing relationships with all nations to take the aviation experience to another level," the mentioned source stated in the publication.
Meanwhile, the Cuban minister assured that Avianca's arrival on Cuban soil is scheduled for next July with four weekly frequencies.
According to Reportur, the arrival of the Colombian airline in Cuba represents competition for others offering routes to South America, such as Copa Airlines and Latam, although in the case of Avianca, there is the possibility of connecting Brazilian tourism with the island.
"A Brazilian airline that will soon fly to Bogotá will make it easier for Brazilians to reach Cuba thanks to these frequencies," said Ivis Fernández, representative counselor of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil, regarding the connections facilitated by having Gol flying to Colombia.
The Brazilian airline Gol, a partner of Avianca in the Abra Group, recently arrived in Colombia to establish its new international base. The airline will start with two routes from Bogotá to Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires.
Avianca inaugurated its flights to Cuba in 2012, with two weekly frequencies. Eight years later, on January 15, 2020, it announced the suspension of the same due to possible sanctions from the United States for its operations in Cuba.
"As announced in October, Avianca suspended the sale of tickets to and from Cuba as of October 31. In line with the above, the company also announces that it will additionally cancel the air operations of the flights San Salvador-La Havana and Bogotá - La Havana as of January 15, 2020," they explained in a statement.
Avianca's return comes at a time when several airlines have suspended their arrivals in Cuban territory, such as Aerolineas Argentinas, which made its last flight to Havana on March 8.
Recently, the airline TUI, a leader in vacation travel in Europe, announced the definitive suspension of its flights to the Cuban resort of Varadero from Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and from Manchester in the UK.
All tourists planning to visit Cuba will be required to obtain a tourist card (visa) prior to their travels. This essential document can be conveniently obtained through the official provider website www.visacuba.com. By securing the tourist card in advance, international travellers can ensure a smooth and hassle-free entry into Cuba, allowing them to fully enjoy their Cuban adventures without any delays or complications.