Aero Caribbean

Aero Caribbean

IATA ICAO Call sign 7L CRN AEROCARIBBEAN
Founded	1982
Ceased operations	2015 (merged with Cubana de Aviación)
Hubs	José Martí International Airport
Focus cities	Antonio Maceo Int'l Airport
Fleet size	7
Destinations	17
Parent company	Corporación de la Aviación Civil S.A
Headquarters	Plaza de la Revolución, Havana, Cuba

Aero Caribbean (Empresa Aerocaribbean SA) was an airline based in Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana, Cuba. It operated scheduled domestic and international passenger services, and charter flights mainly within the Caribbean and South America. Its main base was at José Martí International Airport, Havana.

History

Aero Caribbean, a state-owned airline, was founded in 1984. It began as an offshoot of Cubana de Aviación, the national flag carrier of Cuba, to address the growing demand for domestic and regional flights. The airline operated primarily within the Caribbean and Latin America, but it also offered international routes to various countries. Over the years, Aero Caribbean gained a reputation for its relatively reliable service, though it faced many obstacles along the way, including the challenges posed by the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, the aging of its fleet, and limited access to modern aviation technology and infrastructure.

Aero Caribbean's primary role was to serve domestic routes within Cuba, including connections between Havana (the capital) and other major Cuban cities. However, the airline also extended its operations to other parts of the Caribbean, offering flights to destinations like Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and other nearby islands. The airline was part of a broader strategy by the Cuban government to create a more localized air transportation system, thereby reducing reliance on foreign carriers and making travel within Cuba more accessible.

Formation and Early Operations (1984-1990)

Aero Caribbean's origins can be traced back to the Cuban government's decision in the early 1980s to expand its national airline network. Cubana de Aviación, established in 1929, was Cuba's primary international carrier. However, as demand for regional flights within the Caribbean and Central America grew, the government recognized the need for a specialized carrier that could handle these routes effectively. In 1984, Aero Caribbean was founded as a subsidiary of Cubana de Aviación. The new airline was designed to focus on regional and domestic flights, serving as a complement to Cubana's international operations. Aero Caribbean's initial fleet consisted of Soviet-made aircraft, such as the Tupolev Tu-134 and the Ilyushin Il-18, which were common in the Soviet bloc and its satellite states during the Cold War era. These aircraft were affordable, but also presented significant challenges in terms of maintenance and modernity, especially as the global aviation industry moved toward more fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft. Aero Caribbean's operations were initially limited to domestic routes, connecting major Cuban cities like Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Varadero. However, the airline quickly expanded its service area to include several nearby Caribbean nations, such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. By the late 1980s, Aero Caribbean was a vital part of Cuba's air transport infrastructure, and its flights became an important link for Cubans traveling within the region.

Expansion and Fleet Developments (1990-2000)

The 1990s marked a significant period of growth for Aero Caribbean, though it was also a time of economic difficulty for Cuba as a whole. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cuba faced a severe economic crisis known as the "Special Period," as the country lost its primary source of economic support and trade. The Cuban government had to make significant adjustments to its aviation operations during this time, as foreign airlines withdrew from Cuba and the country's infrastructure began to deteriorate.

During the Special Period, Aero Caribbean faced major challenges. The aging fleet of Soviet-era aircraft was increasingly difficult to maintain, and the airline struggled to acquire spare parts due to the trade restrictions placed on Cuba. Despite these difficulties, the Cuban government invested in upgrading Aero Caribbean's fleet, and the airline took steps to modernize its operations. One of the key upgrades came in the form of the introduction of Western-made aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 and the McDonnell Douglas MD-83, which were more reliable and efficient than their Soviet counterparts.

Aero Caribbean expanded its network during the 1990s to include more international destinations, notably in the Caribbean and Central America. The airline began offering flights to Panama, Mexico, and Haiti, capitalizing on the demand for regional travel as tourism to Cuba began to grow in the 1990s, especially after the easing of travel restrictions for certain countries. While the fleet still relied heavily on older aircraft, Aero Caribbean's reputation for offering affordable, relatively comfortable flights helped it establish a loyal customer base.

The airline also introduced new services targeting specific segments of the population, such as Cuban expatriates and tourists. While the country's political environment remained challenging, tourism began to grow during the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, providing a much-needed boost to the airline's finances.

Aero Caribbean in the 2000s

The 2000s were a period of significant challenge for Aero Caribbean, as the airline continued to grapple with economic hardship and political restrictions. The aging of its fleet was one of the primary concerns, as maintenance costs mounted and the airline struggled to maintain a reliable schedule. The continued U.S. trade embargo, which prohibited the sale of modern aircraft to Cuba, compounded the issue. Furthermore, while some Western-made aircraft were acquired, they were still relatively old by international standards, and Aero Caribbean faced difficulties keeping them in top working condition. Despite these challenges, Aero Caribbean remained a critical component of the Cuban aviation system. The airline played an important role in the domestic tourism sector, especially as Cuba began to attract more visitors from Europe and Canada. As the Cuban government slowly began to open up its economy and encourage more tourism, Aero Caribbean was able to capitalize on this shift by offering flights to popular tourist destinations like Varadero, Cayo Coco, and Havana. These routes were especially attractive to Canadians and Europeans, who made up a significant portion of Cuba's tourism market. In addition to domestic and regional flights, Aero Caribbean also began offering charter services to other parts of the world, including flights to Venezuela and several countries in Europe. The airline's efforts to diversify its services and attract international travelers helped it maintain its relevance in an increasingly competitive global aviation market.

However, the airline's financial struggles were compounded by the Cuban government's broader economic difficulties. Cuba's strained relationship with the United States meant that Aero Caribbean was unable to purchase the latest aircraft or upgrade its fleet with modern technology. In an industry where efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness are paramount, Aero Caribbean's aging fleet posed a significant disadvantage.

The Decline and Closure of Aero Caribbean (2013-2015)

By the early 2010s, Aero Caribbean's situation had become increasingly untenable. Although the airline continued to operate flights both domestically and internationally, it faced mounting financial losses. The Cuban government, facing a host of economic pressures, made the difficult decision to consolidate its airline industry, and Aero Caribbean was among the carriers affected by this move.

In 2013, the Cuban government announced that Aero Caribbean would cease operations as a standalone airline. The company's routes were absorbed by Cubana de Aviación, and many of Aero Caribbean's employees were either reassigned or laid off. The decision to shut down Aero Caribbean came as part of a broader restructuring of the Cuban aviation sector, which sought to streamline operations and improve efficiency within the industry. While the dissolution of Aero Caribbean was a significant moment in Cuban aviation history, it also marked the end of an era for the airline and its loyal passengers. The airline had long been a fixture of Cuba's regional air transport system, and its closure symbolized the challenges faced by Cuba's aviation sector in a rapidly changing global environment. Despite its eventual closure, Aero Caribbean's legacy remains an important chapter in the history of Cuban aviation. The airline played a vital role in maintaining Cuba's air transportation system during a time of great economic and political difficulty. It connected Cuba to various parts of the Caribbean and Latin America, enabling millions of Cubans and international travelers to visit the island.

In addition to its practical role, Aero Caribbean also served as a symbol of Cuba's ongoing efforts to maintain a degree of autonomy in its air transport operations. The airline's reliance on Soviet-made aircraft during its early years and its struggles with the U.S. trade embargo highlighted the broader geopolitical realities faced by Cuba. The airline's eventual decline underscored the limitations of Cuba's ability to modernize its transportation infrastructure, as well as the pressures it faced in adapting to a globalized aviation industry.

Aero Caribbean was an important part of Cuba's aviation landscape for more than three decades, playing a crucial role in connecting the island to the wider Caribbean and beyond. Although the airline faced significant challenges throughout its history, from economic hardship to an aging fleet, it remained a vital component of Cuba's national transport system until its closure in 2013. The story of Aero Caribbean reflects the broader challenges faced by Cuba's aviation industry, particularly in terms of infrastructure, technology, and access to modern resources. It also highlights the resilience of the Cuban government and the Cuban people, who adapted to the limitations imposed by the U.S. embargo and sought ways to maintain connectivity despite economic difficulties.

Destinations

Aero Caribbean operated the following destinations:

• Domestic scheduled destinations: Cayo Coco, Havana, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, Cayo Largo, Nueva Gerona, Varadero.
• International scheduled destinations: Cayman Islands, Corn Island, Managua, Mérida, San Pedro Sula, Port-au-Prince, Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Guatemala City
• Former scheduled destinations: Monterrey, Tijuana

Fleet

Aero Caribbean ATR 72-212

The Aero Caribbean fleet included the following aircraft (as of November 2012):

• 3 ATR 42-300
• 4 ATR 72-212

Previously operated

Aerocaribbean operated the following aircraft in the past:

• 1 Antonov An-24
• 2 Antonov An-26
• 1 Boeing 737-200
• 2 Douglas DC-3 configured for Y28 passengers
• 1 Fokker F-27F Friendship configured for Y44 passengers/freight
• 5 Ilyushin Il-18D/V configured for Y100 passengers/freight (flying Havana-Bahamas and Havana-Caracas)
• 1 Ilyushin Il-14M configured for Y40 passengers
• 6 Yakovlev Yak-40 configured for Y30 passengers/freighter
• 4 Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante
• 2 Bristol Britannia

Accidents and incidents

• On 15 November 1992, an Il-18 on a charter flight from Santo Domingo to Havana crashed into the side of mount Isabel de Torres, near San Felipe de Puerto Plata, while on approach to Gregorio Luperón International Airport for an intermediate stop. The plane was flying in IFR conditions and performed a controlled flight into terrain. All 34 on board died, including the Dominican chess team. The aircraft lost in the accident was the same plane that was filmed in 1986 Soviet disaster film Razmakh krylyev.

• On 4 November 2010, Flight 883, operated by an ATR 72-212, crashed at Guasimal, Cuba, while en route from Santiago de Cuba to Havana. All 61 passengers and seven crew members were killed. The most likely cause was icing on the wing.

References

Bibliography

• Günter Endres, ed. (2010). Flight International World Airlines 2010. Sutton, Surrey, England: Reed Business Information. ISBN 978-1-898779-39-1.

External links

Media related to Aero Caribbean at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website on archive.org