Delta Airlines Touches Down in Cuba
Caribbean News Digital had an exclusive interview with Jose A. Zapata, Delta Airlines’ General Manager for Central America and the Caribbean, on the services offered by this U.S. company in Cuba
Delta has teed off its flights to Cuba. The airline has started with Havana and its General Manager for Central America and the Caribbean, Jose A. Zapata, said that it is a pleasure to fly from and to the Cuban capital.
“We’ve taken small steps so far. Havana is a big market and, since we’re in this city, we are working on it. The domestic market requires an all-out assessment on the number of passengers, the day they travel, and we are waiting to have more information in order to make a decision. We’re interested in expanding our operations and that goes beyond Havana.”
Delta presently offers three daily flights to Havana from three U.S. cities: New York, Miami and Atlanta. The latter is the biggest hub from where the prestigious airline operates over a thousand daily flights to other destinations.
Delta Airlines, which had applied to offer five daily flights to Havana, was finally authorized by the U.S. Transport Department to have three frequencies. Even so, Mr. Zapata says to be very pleased. Delta will be initially focused on Havana and it will consider flying to other Cuban destinations in 2017.
As for the airline’s baggage policy, Mr. Zapata said it is not restrictive: it is the same they apply to other Caribbean countries where passengers can carry up to 10 pieces. Passengers pay $25 for the first suitcase, $40 for the second one, then $125 and $200 after the fourth piece. However, the size and weight of the suitcase or bag cannot exceed 62 lineal inches and 50 pounds.
For the time being –Mr. Zapata explains to Caribbean News Digital- the three U.S. cities that are connected to Cuba on the wings of Delta (Miami, New York and Atlanta), are three strategic destinations for both the Cuban and U.S. markets.
“Miami is a natural market for Cuba and New York is the second best, where we have over 200 daily flights. We fly to more than 200 destinations from Atlanta, with over a thousand flights a day. We are virtually opening up the world to Havana through Atlanta. That’s where our hub is.”
As for the welcome given to Delta in Cuba, Mr. Zapata commented that “they have enjoyed the support provided by Cuban authorities, which have shared with us all the information we need. Many processes have taken a little longer when compared to other countries, but we’re very happy and Cuba’s Civil Aeronautics Institute (IACC is the Spanish acronym) and Havana’s airport have been very helpful every step of the way.”
Like other airlines, Delta is represented in Cuba by Take-Off, a local company. However, Mr. Zapata underscores that they are planning to register in Cuba’s Chamber of Commerce. That doesn’t mean, though, that the company would eventually part ways with Take-Off, since they believe that the best way to beef up their position in any country is by having their own brand registered in it.
The price of Delta’s tickets varies and depends on offer, demand and availability. Right now, there are fares starting at $150 dollars for a roundtrip from Miami during the off-peak season, and the Cuban public is happy to have a daily service at such good and affordable prices.
Delta’s general manager for Central America and the Caribbean told Caribbean News Digital that the inaugural flight from Miami on December 1 was nearly packed and roughly 70 percent of the passengers were Cuban. “All of our flights have high occupancy rates this season,” Mr. Zapata pointed out.
“We’re very excited to be in Cuba. We came in February to conduct a market research study and there wasn’t much information available. We knew that we’d have a presence in this market, but we didn’t know the scope of it,” he went on to explain.
In a bid to strengthen its presence in Cuba, Delta has signed an agreement with Cuban company Havanatur, which will become a major distributor for this major airline in Cuba.
