Tourism in Cuba is receiving a significant increase in Russian visitors, and an additional expansion in connections was announced this week by Aeroflot. Shortly after the subsidiary of Russia’s flag carrier announced an increase in flights to Varadero, Aeroflot included in its booking system flights to Cuba with its own aircraft.
While flights between Moscow and Varadero will be carried out by the subsidiary focused on the tourist market, Rossiya, Aeroflot will resume flights to Havana, the capital and largest city of the island. There will be 3 weekly flights between December 24 and January 7, coinciding with Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, and then they will be reduced to 2 weekly flights, always operated by the Boeing 777-300ER, according to our associated media, Aeroin.
The plane will depart from Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow at 8:10 in the morning, arriving in Havana at 2:40 pm. On the return trip, the flight will depart from the Cuban capital at 4:40 pm, arriving at 1:25 pm the next day in the Russian capital.
The round trip is longer than a few months ago, reaching around 12 hours and 30 minutes, due to the airspace that Russian companies are prohibited from flying as a result of sanctions, forcing diversions. On the other hand, with much of the Mediterranean Sea without access to Russian tourists, Cuba has become an economical and practical option for vacationing.
Between January and June, according to data from the Cuban Ministry of Tourism, more than 67,600 passengers arrived in Cuba from Russia, a 45% growth compared to the same period last year, being the fourth largest group behind American and Canadian tourists and Cubans living abroad. It is estimated that the total figure for 2023 will exceed 100,000 Russian tourists.
Flights between Russia and Cuba
A report from the Association of Russian Tour Operators indicates that the current offer of flights between that country and Cuba is made up of Nordwind Airlines, with flights from Moscow to Varadero and Cayo Coco; Rossiya Airlines, with services between Moscow and Varadero; and Conviasa, with flights between Moscow and Havana.
