After several months of announcements and preparations, Cubana de Aviación is set to resume a connection that has been suspended for years. The direct route between Havana and Frankfurt returns this December, marking a renewed effort to attract European visitors to the island.
The restoration of this air connection comes at a complex time for the Cuban tourism sector. The figures are still not sufficient to recover.cupto reach pre-pandemic levels. However, the government is betting on the return of flights to Germany as a sign of confidence in the European market.
Starting December 2nd, after 20 years without operating flights to that destination, Cubana de Aviación will officially resume its direct Havana-Frankfurt route. The information was confirmed The Cuban Embassy in Germany announced the trip via its social media profile. However, no details were provided regarding schedules or initial fares.
A connection awaited since April
The resumption of service was announced by the Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, in April of this year. At that time, it was reported that flights would operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Airbus A330-200 aircraft, leased from an international partner, will be used. Each plane has a capacity of 287 passengers, distributed between 17 seats in business class and 270 in economy class.
The minister described the reopening of the route as “a significant step in strengthening connectivity between Cuba and Europe”According to the company, the airline's goal is to expand its flight offerings. Furthermore, they aim to strengthen agreements with tour operators and foreign airlines, in a context of crisis and contraction in the tourism sector.
A key market in decline
The recupThe establishment of this connection coincided with the departure of the German airline Condor from the Cuban market. This left a gap in the flow of visitors from Germany to the island. However, the most recent data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) paints a discouraging picture. Between January and September of 2025Cuba received 1,366,720 tourists, compared to 1,719,000 in the same period of 2024, a drop of 20,5%.
Germany, which for years remained among the main countries of origin for travelers, has reduced its visits by more than 43% during the same period, according to the ONEI.
Tourism in decline and structural challenges
The collapse of European tourism is linked to the deterioration of basic services, as well as prolonged power outages and a reduction in international flight frequencies. Despite this, the Cuban government insists that tourism remains essential for generating foreign currency and economic recovery.cupeconomic generation.
The resumption of the link with Frankfurt could represent an opportunity to attract German and European travelers in general, but the results will depend on the country's ability to offer stable and competitive services compared to other Caribbean destinations.