The Italian airline Neos Air has initiated a weekly direct flight between Rome and Holguín, marking the sole direct air link between mainland Europe and eastern Cuba, as reported by the state media outlet Cubadebate.
The inaugural flight, utilizing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, touched down at Frank País International Airport amidst heavy rain and was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute. The flight carried over 230 passengers.
This approximately 14-hour journey included a technical stop for refueling in La Romana, Dominican Republic, a necessity due to the ongoing Jet A-1 fuel supply crisis affecting Cuban airports since February.
Miguel Andrés Peña Peña, the director of Frank País Airport, confirmed that this connection will operate every Thursday on a weekly basis.
According to Peña Peña, "this operation highlights the feasibility of maintaining long-haul routes despite the country's challenging circumstances and reaffirms the confidence the Italian company Neos has in the Cuban destination."
Impact on Tourism in Holguín
Yuset Vargas Ricardo, the delegate of the Ministry of Tourism in Holguín, mentioned that all passengers on the maiden flight were independent travelers and that "the connection will aid in reestablishing operations in the destination, particularly during the current summer season."
Neos Air, a subsidiary of the Italian tourism group Alpitour, has a longstanding relationship with Cuba. Before the pandemic, it operated flights from Milan to Havana and Holguín, and in June 2022, it launched a direct route from Rome to Havana using the same aircraft model. The company even named one of its Dreamliners "Ciudad de La Habana."
The initial pricing for flights from Rome to Holguín starts at approximately 408 euros, according to Travel Trade Caribbean.
Challenges Facing Cuban Tourism
Travel agencies like Infotur and Ecotur were present at the welcoming event to promote Holguín's tourist attractions, which include the beach destination of Guardalavaca, the Guayabo Falls, and ecotourism and cultural offerings.
This route inauguration comes at a bleak time for Cuban tourism. In the first five months of 2026, Cuba recorded only 359,491 international visitors, a sharp decline of 58.4% compared to the same period in 2025. May alone saw just 30,883 tourists, the lowest monthly figure in years, representing a 75.3% drop compared to May of the previous year.
Simultaneously, at least 11 airlines, including Air Canada, Iberia, Turkish Airlines, Air France, and Rossiya, have halted flights to Cuba this year, worsening the island's air isolation.
In this scenario, Frank País Airport continues to host regular and charter flights from the United States, and the national terminal operates weekly flights on the Holguín-Havana route.
The arrival of airlines like Neos Air, which maintain flights to Cuba, offers a rare glimpse of international connectivity in a sector facing its most severe crisis in decades.
Understanding Cuba's Aviation and Tourism Challenges
Why is the Rome-Holguín route significant?
The Rome-Holguín route is significant because it establishes the only direct air connection between mainland Europe and eastern Cuba, enhancing tourism and international connectivity.
What challenges is Cuba's tourism sector currently facing?
Cuba's tourism sector is grappling with a substantial decline in international visitors, with a 58.4% drop in the first five months of 2026 compared to the previous year, alongside numerous airlines suspending flights to the country.
How does Neos Air's new route impact Holguín?
Neos Air's new route is expected to boost tourism in Holguín by improving accessibility for independent travelers, which could help revive local tourism operations during the summer season.