A charter flight from Miami to Santa Clara departed with only about ten passengers on board, as documented on Instagram by Cuban content creator Yusmani Companioni (@yusmanicompanioni), who resides in the United States. He shared his experience during the journey.
In a video, the influencer captured the largely empty cabin, with many vacant seats in view. "Flights to Cuba might get suspended anytime due to the lack of passengers and cargo," he remarked.
This scene starkly contrasts with previous years when these routes were typically crowded with travelers and their luggage.
Companioni himself expressed his fondness for visiting the Island, though some users criticized his choice in the comments. One user noted, "That shows you're going against the majority of the Cuban people."
Empty Seats on Cuba Charter Flights
The images remind us of similar situations that have gone viral in recent months, where flights to or from Cuba have operated with very few passengers.
In numerous instances, it has been explained that the business model for these flights often hinges less on passenger numbers and more on cargo carried in the plane's hold.
Shipping agencies frequently pay for the transport of packages and unaccompanied luggage, allowing some routes to remain operational despite low passenger counts.
"The real business is in the plane's belly," commented one user on similar videos posted on social media over the past year.
Decline in Travel from the Diaspora
However, the current situation signals a genuine reduction in the flow of travelers to Cuba, as reflected in official statistics.
Data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reveals a sharp decline: in January 2026, only 12,574 Cuban residents living abroad visited the Island, compared to 21,015 in January 2025.
This represents a drop of over 40% in just one year, with the most significant decrease occurring in trips from the United States, which fell from 14,027 to merely 6,997 visitors.
This decline directly impacts one of the most stable sources of tourism for Cuba: familial visits from the diaspora, which also play a crucial role in sustaining foreign currency consumption within the country.
Adding to the economic crisis are prolonged power outages, transportation issues, and fuel shortages, which have further worsened the conditions for traveling to the Island.
Understanding the Decline in U.S. Travel to Cuba
What are the main reasons for the decline in travel from the U.S. to Cuba?
The decline is primarily due to the economic crisis, extended power outages, transportation challenges, and fuel shortages, which have worsened travel conditions to Cuba.
How does the cargo business sustain charter flights to Cuba?
The cargo business sustains charter flights by relying on shipping agencies that pay for the transportation of packages and unaccompanied luggage, allowing flights to operate even with minimal passengers.
How significant is the drop in visitors from the U.S. to Cuba?
The drop is significant, with visitors from the U.S. decreasing by more than 50%, from 14,027 in January 2025 to just 6,997 in January 2026.