RuAviation

Russia Airlines launched direct scheduled flights to Cuba from Moscow. Flights to Varadero are operated using wide-body Boeing 777 jets. On July 1, the first flight left Sheremetyevo Airport at 9:20 a.m. Moscow time with almost full commercial load, the carrier’s press service said.

At the initial stage, the flights will be operated twice a week, departing on Thursdays and Saturdays. In the future, depending on demand, the programme of flights to Cuba will be expanded.

The decision to resume regular flights from Moscow to Cuba was announced during the visit of the Russian delegation, headed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Director General of Aeroflot Sergey Alexandrovsky to Cuba and during the 20th meeting of the Russia-Cuba Intergovernmental Commission in May 2023.

“Cuba is a key partner of Russia in Central America and it is absolutely logical that economic relations between our countries should be further developed,” stressed Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko. – But Cuba is also a safe, accessible and visa-free resort, where Russians are used to relax. On behalf of the President of the Russian Federation regular flights to Cuba will be resumed starting from July 1. Due to this step, total passenger flow, including charter and scheduled flights, may reach about 150 thousand people by the end of 2023, and thus achieve pre-declaration indicators”.

“The air line between Russia and Cuba is one of Aeroflot’s oldest international destinations. The first scheduled flight to Havana was made in 1962 on a Tu-114. It is not just a milestone in the 100-year history of Russian civil aviation, it is a history of strong friendship and mutual support of our countries, – notes General Director of Aeroflot Sergey Alexandrovsky. – During these years, traffic between our countries was interrupted only twice: during the COVID-19 pandemic and after restrictions were imposed by unfriendly countries. It should be noted that holidays in Cuba are traditionally in high demand among our passengers all year round, and almost 100% occupancy of the first flight confirms it. I am sure that resumption of flights to Liberty Island will positively affect development of tourism and economic relations between Russia and Cuba.

Varadero traditionally attracts beach lovers all year round. Thanks to Russia’s direct flights to Varadero, tourists will be able to get to the resort directly, without stopping in Havana.