Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines plans to resume flights to Cuba and launch scheduled service there when allowed, but the carrier’s CEO said Cuba will be similar to other Caribbean destinations.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a game changer,” said Delta CEO Richard Anderson in a recorded message to employees Thursday. “Cuba’s going to be competing with Cayman Islands and Punta Cuna and St. Thomas and St. John and St. Martin and St. Barts, and we can go all the way down the list of all the sunny, white sand, blue water beaches throughout the Caribbean.”
Anderson’s statement came after United and American issued statements earlier this week on the reopening of the U.S. and Cuban embassies. American CEO Doug Parker said in a written statement that “we stand ready to begin scheduled service when it’s allowed,” and United said “we look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue with both governments about providing our customers service between our two nations, subject to government approval.”
Delta once served Cuba from 1953 to 1961, and more recently operated charter flights from to Havana in 2011 and 2012, including from Atlanta, before discontinuing the service due to flagging demand amid travel restrictions.
“We’re going to participate in the flying to Cuba… I think it’ll be a very good thing for Delta to have service to Havana from Atlanta,” Anderson said. “But it’s not going to be groundbreaking.”
Anderson said he’d rather focus on adding service to China to grow international business.
About the Author
