Turkish Airlines to resume Cuba flights
Turkish Airlines will resume flights to Cuba on October 25, restoring direct service between Istanbul and Havana after a temporary suspension earlier this year.
Turkey’s national carrier, suspended flights to Cuba in March, citing fuel shortages and weaker travel demand. The restart will restore an important international air link to the Caribbean destination.
Flights will operate between Istanbul and José Martí International Airport in Havana. The service is expected to provide travelers with a more convenient connection to Cuba through Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul hub.
Turkish Airlines currently serves Havana with an itinerary that requires a stop in Panama, where passengers transfer to another aircraft before continuing to Cuba. The resumed Istanbul-Havana operation will eliminate that additional connection for passengers traveling on the Turkish Airlines network.
The return comes as Cuba continues to face significant aviation fuel shortages. The disruption has affected several international carriers, with some airlines suspending services, reducing frequencies or adding technical fuel stops in third countries.
Turkish Airlines’ decision to restore Cuba service is therefore closely linked to the availability of fuel at Cuban airports and the carrier’s assessment of demand.
The airline has been a key international gateway to Cuba, connecting the island with its extensive network across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa through Istanbul.
The resumption is also expected to support Cuba’s tourism sector by improving access from major international markets. Havana remains one of the country’s principal entry points for international visitors and a hub for onward travel across the island.
Turkish Airlines resumed service will operate three weekly services -each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The airline’s return comes as Cuba seeks to maintain international connectivity despite continuing operational challenges at its airports.