RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Cuba will increase international air connections from 63 to 400 per week from November 15 when it gradually reopens its borders and starts receiving international tourism, announced Tuesday the Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodriguez.
Of the total number of flights planned, 147 will be from the United States to several cities in the Caribbean country and 77 of them to Havana, he said at a press conference.
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Rodriguez added that the number of international air connections could be higher because travel agencies continue to request to operate in the country.
The increase in flights is part of the total reopening to tourism in November after the covid-19 reduced visitor arrivals to a minimum in the last year and a half.
Cuba suspended commercial and charter flights in April 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. In October of that year reopened airports, but with a minimal reduction in flights from the U.S., Mexico, Panama, Bahamas, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Colombia.
As of November 7, incoming travelers will not have to undergo mandatory quarantine or present a negative PCR, although they will be required to submit an international certificate of anticovid-19 vaccination, authorities said.
According to official estimates, the “controlled” reopening responds to the progress of mass vaccination in Cuba, which should reach more than 90% of the population in November.