After more than 20 years without flights to Germany, the state-owned airline Cubana de Aviación is set to relaunch direct flights between Havana and Frankfurt starting December 2. This move is part of the Cuban government's efforts to revive European tourism amid a significant decline in international visitors to the island.
This week, the German Embassy in Cuba confirmed the resumption of flights through a brief social media post, although it lacked detailed information.
The opening of this route was initially announced in April by the Transport Minister, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila. He mentioned that Cubana de Aviación would operate two flights weekly—on Wednesdays and Saturdays—using a modern Airbus A330-200 leased from an unspecified international airline.
This decision follows an announcement from the German airline Condor, which will halt all operations to Cuba starting in May 2025.
New Partnership and Aircraft Details
In August, the German Office for Trade and Investment Promotion in Cuba (AHK) stated that the new route by Cubana would be operated by an aircraft leased from the Spanish company Plus Ultra. Both outbound and return flights will make a stopover in the city of Holguín.
The aircraft will accommodate up to 287 passengers, with 17 seats available in premium class and 270 in economy.
Challenges Facing Cuba’s Tourism Sector
While the Transport Minister lauded the new route as "a significant step in strengthening connectivity between Cuba and Europe," the reintroduction comes at a precarious time for Cuba's tourism industry, which has seen a 20.5% drop in visitors from January to September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Official statistics from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) show that 1,366,720 foreign tourists visited the country in the first nine months of the year, a decrease of 352,289 from the previous year.
Germany, traditionally a major source of tourists to Cuba, experienced a sharp 43.5% decline, with only 26,735 visitors compared to 47,323 the previous year.
Struggles to Meet Tourism Goals
Tourism, a key revenue generator for the Cuban regime, remains far below the official target of 2.6 million visitors for this year. Long power outages, shortages of essential goods, inadequate infrastructure, and air connectivity issues are among the challenges deterring tourists.
The figures up to September indicate that Cuban tourism continues to struggle with no signs of short-term recovery. Even the most optimistic forecasts suggest a year-end total of around 1.8 million visitors, significantly less than the government's expectations and the 4.2 million tourists Cuba welcomed before the pandemic.
FAQs on Cuban Aviation and Tourism Challenges
What is the significance of Cubana de Aviación resuming flights to Frankfurt?
The resumption of flights between Havana and Frankfurt represents a strategic move by the Cuban government to boost European tourism, which has significantly declined recently.
How is the new flight route by Cubana de Aviación being managed?
The new route will be operated using an Airbus A330-200 leased from the Spanish airline Plus Ultra, with flights scheduled twice a week and a stop in Holguín.
What are the current challenges facing Cuba's tourism industry?
Cuba's tourism sector faces several challenges, including power outages, shortages of basic supplies, poor infrastructure, and limited air connectivity, all contributing to a decline in tourist numbers.