The José Martí International Airport in Havana has announced two planned nighttime closures set for Monday, October 12, and Monday, October 19, as per official notifications from the Cuban Air Navigation Company (ECNA). Operations at the airport will be suspended from 7:00 p.m. until 2:40 a.m. the following day, local time in Cuba, on both dates.
Each closure will span seven hours and 40 minutes. Although these closures are scheduled in advance, the details are subject to change.
Scheduled Closure Dates and Times for Havana
According to the official ECNA NOTAM list, accessed on Sunday, October 11 at 14:04 UTC, the closures are as follows:
From Monday, October 12 to Tuesday, October 13: Operations will halt from 7:00 p.m. on Monday to 2:40 a.m. on Tuesday, local time. In Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), this corresponds to 23:00 on October 12 to 06:40 on October 13. This is listed under NOTAM A3592/26.
From Monday, October 19 to Tuesday, October 20: The closure will occur from 7:00 p.m. on Monday to 2:40 a.m. on Tuesday, local time. In UTC, this is from 23:00 on October 19 to 06:40 on October 20, noted as NOTAM A3593/26. Both notices were issued on October 9 and use the aviation term "AD CLSD," indicating the aerodrome is closed during these periods, but not permanently.
Reason for José Martí Airport's Closure
The NOTAMs do not provide a specific reason for the closures. They do not mention any construction, maintenance, fuel shortages, or other reasons for the scheduled restrictions. No affected flights or airlines are identified, nor are any specific cancellations confirmed.
It is important to differentiate these closures from the separate fuel supply restrictions for Jet A-1, which are affecting ten Cuban airports until November 1. The overlap of these situations does not necessarily imply that the night closures are related to fuel shortages.
Guidance for Passengers with Flights on These Dates
Passengers planning to depart from or arrive in Havana during the nights of October 12-13 or October 19-20 should verify their flight's status and schedule directly with their airline before heading to the airport. The airline will provide information on any itinerary changes.
The times mentioned are from the NOTAMs reviewed on October 11. As these notifications can be altered, replaced, or canceled, any updates should be confirmed through the official aeronautical system and with the respective airline.
FAQs About Havana Airport Night Closures
Why is José Martí International Airport closing at night?
The NOTAMs do not specify a reason for the closures, and there is no mention of construction, maintenance, or fuel issues.
How can passengers confirm their flight status during the closures?
Passengers should contact their airline directly to verify the status and schedule of their flights before traveling to the airport.
Are the closures linked to fuel shortages?
There is no confirmation that the night closures are related to fuel shortages, despite concurrent fuel supply restrictions at other Cuban airports.