TUI discontinues connections with Cuba

TUI has confirmed that it will end its direct service from Manchester to Varadero in Cuba next year.

The service was the only direct access to Cuba from the UK but will end at the end of April 2024. In the winter of 2023, flights to Cuba will continue as planned. This was reported by travelweekly.co.uk.

"We regularly review our flight program, and as a result, we will no longer fly to Cuba in the summer of 2024. Those customers who have made a reservation will be contacted directly and offered a free transfer to another long-haul destination with a 10% rebooking bonus or a full refund," said a TUI UK & Ireland spokesperson.

Matthew O'Sullivan, director of the specialist operator Captivating Cuba, stated to reassure travel agent colleagues and customers that travel to Cuba remains easy and attractive with a range of convenient flight alternatives.

He said that TUI has always been his "least used" airline to Cuba, so most customers are not affected.

"Since we announced a few weeks ago that TUI would be discontinuing the Varadero route, we have already rebooked customers on alternative routes," added Matthew O'Sullivan.

In addition, he pointed to indirect ties with airlines such as Air France, Condor, Air Europa, and Iberia, which use codeshare with British Airways. Outside of Europe, he pointed to Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet, which serve several Cuban airports via Canada.

"We continue to receive a growing steady stream of bookings for vacations at the two centers in Cuba, combined with destinations that offer direct UK flights, such as Mexico, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas," said Matthew O'Sullivan, director of Captivating Cuba.

He added that the demand for travel to the island always remains high, and the enthusiasm of our customers does not diminish.