Silver Airways Touches Down in Cuba

A small 34-seat Saab aircraft landed in Abel Santamaria International Airport in Santa Clara, in central Cuba. This flight marked the beginning of the scheduled routes operated by Silver Airways between the U.S. and Cuba.

The inaugural flight by Silver Airways came to pass a day after a JetBlue A-320 aircraft had touched down on the same tarmac to officially resume regular commercial flights between the two countries after more than five decades.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for welcoming us here in beautiful Santa Clara. It’s an honor for Silver Airways to start operations in Cuba today, a day we were all looking forward to,” said Sami Teittinen, President and CEO of Silver Airways.

Silver Airways has a long history of service in Florida and the Bahamas, known as the carrier of choice for local people and their visitors in both locations. Silver Airways will be the only U.S. airline flying to nine different non-Havana destinations on the island.

“Our team of dedicated aviation professionals is looking forward to working with the Cuban government and other authorities, hoping to build solid working ties in the future,” Mr. Teittinen told members of the press gathered at the airport’s VIP lounge.

Silver Airways will initially provide three weekly flights to Santa Clara that will extend to seven weekly flight beginning Oct. 13. The carrier will then start flying to Camaguey (five weekly flights), Cienfuegos (two flights a week) and Holguin (one daily flight).

For the month of November, the company will start serving Santiago de Cuba with one daily flight, Cayo Coco with three flights a week and Varadero with four weekly flights.

Finally in December, Silver Airways will begin a daily flight to Cayo Largo and three daily flights to Manzanillo.

“I dare say these frequencies will create a genuine air bridge between the state of Florida and the Republic of Cuba,” Mr. Teittenen added.

According to Silver Airways’ President and CEO, the U.S. Department of Transportation has ruled out the carrier from serving Havana because of its aircraft size and the Cuban capital would require airlines that can provide as many seats as possible.