Bahamasair is set to take another hit to its already depressed financial state as Cuba has made the decision to reduce flights into the country – from The Bahamas, the United States, Panama, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti – due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the airline’s Chairman Tommy Turnquest confirmed yesterday, adding that Bahamasair’s Cuba flights have been robust since the airline reopened the route.
“We’ll make whatever adjustments we have to make,” Turnquest said. “These are indeed challenging times.”
According to Turnquest, Cuban authorities issued new aviation regulations on the weekend mandating that beginning in January, international flights into the country are to be reduced and COVID-19-negative test result protocols tightened.
Turnquest explained that while American carriers which flew to Havana regularly will now have to reduce their schedules to once per week, Bahamasair flew into three airports in Cuba and are now seeking clarification on what it will have to reduce its itinerary to.
Bahamasair flies into Havana, Holguin and Santa Clara, Turnquest said, and carries loads that average 110 seats per flight.
“We were going into Cuba six times a week,” said Turnquest.
“We are seeking clarity as to whether it is now one to the country or one to each of those destinations.
“We have had good loads into Holguin and Santa Clara.”
He said the bulk of Bahamasair’s passengers into Cuba have been Cubans connecting from Miami into Cuba through Nassau.
However, the Cuban government has raised concerns about the number of people coming into the country and the spread of COVID-19.
“Obviously these are the Cuban diaspora wanting to go visit family, and so obviously that has to be curtailed,” Turnquest said.
“It’s an evolving process. You have to deal with what you have to deal with, 2020 has been that kind of year.”
The post Bahamasair to reduce Cuba fights following COVID-19 concerns appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamasair-to-reduce-cuba-fights-following-covid-19-concerns/
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