It is not unusual for Cubana de Aviación to have to request the assistance of other airlines to fulfill its itinerary. Now, Plus Ultra is once again operating for the company.
The European Union has safety and environmental regulations that prevent aircraft that do not comply with the requirements from operating in its territory. This is the case for several Russian models owned by Cubana.
Plus Ultra is its partner for flights to Europe with the Airbus A340, under a wet leasing contract, although the Caribbean company usually extends the use of the aircraft to other destinations in its network.
According to our partner AEROIN, the Spanish media El Economista announced that Plus Ultra began its flights between Madrid and Havana this week with the Airbus A340-300 with EC-MQM registration.
It must be taken into account that Cubana de Aviación is facing serious difficulties in purchasing new aircraft or acquiring spare parts for operational aircraft. Therefore, it must draw on European airlines to cover its destinations.
Euro Atlantic, Hi Fly, Jordan Aviation, Blue Panorama and Avion Express are some of Cubana’s clients that have covered its routes to national and international destinations. The financial situation of the company forces to seek new and cheaper resources, and last April the directors of the airline have been critical of the blockade.
It prevents the airline from accessing international credits for maintenance expenses or acquiring an aircraft under wet leasing. Under this situation, Cubana de Aviación cannot acquire two ATR 72-600s and the contract with Jordan Aviation for an A320 ceased.