American Airlines is to trim its flights schedules for Cuba in 2017 by as much as 25 per cent, reducing its trips from 13 rounds to 10.
The cut in flight schedule according to NAN has nothing to do with Republican President-elect Donald Trump even as he had threatened to stiffen relations with Cuba when sworn in.
Trump on Monday threatened to end the recent rapproachment between the United States and its former Cold War foe, Cuba after he assumes office on Jan. 20.
In a telephone interview, spokesperson Matt Miller stated that beginning in February, the American Airline will offer one trip a day instead of two from Miami to Holguin, Santa Clara and Varadero.
“This was done purely to remain competitive in the market,” Miller said. “We can’t speculate on what the next administration may do.”
The airline also plans to reduce its capacity on three of the seven routes it operates to Cuba.
It plans to use a 128-seat aircraft between Miami and Holguin instead of a 160-seat, and hopes to contract out flights to Camaguey and Cienfuegos to a regional carrier, Republic Airways Holdings Inc, that would use 76-seat aircraft, pending U.S. regulatory approval.
Airlines are generally expected to perform poorly when entering a previously restricted market, but American’s decision to prune its Cuban itinerary two months after starting service may come as a surprise in light of the industry’s enthusiasm to fly to the Communist-run island, NAN reports.
“If American Airlines can’t earn the profit that it requires from these routes, they’re going to cut back on the flying. It’s as simple as that,” said Henry Harteveldt, founder of the travel consultancy Atmosphere Research Group.
However, after 18 months of secret talks, in December 2014, the United States and Cuba began normalizing relations and have since restored full diplomatic ties.
Posted by Juliet Ekwebelam
