Russian tourists for the first time in history have become the leaders in numbers in Cuba after the resumption of flights.

The Rosaviation website has published another order on the permits for airlines to perform international flights. Carriers have received the right to fly to many popular foreign destinations.

From November 16, the number of flights from Moscow to Dubai and the Maldives may be increased to 7 per week, to Cuba - up to 4 flights.

NordWind Airlines has received permission from the Federal Air Transport Agency to operate regular flights on the Moscow - Cayo-Coco route. The carrier's flight program starts on November 2.

Anex Tour and Intourist have announced a joint charter program to Cuba on the wings of Azur Air. Pegas Touristik tour operator also has flight plans to Cuba.

Russia and Cuba have agreed to work additionally on the issue of restoring the bilateral air service.

Russia and Cuba have agreed on the date of restarting regular flights. The flights will start on September 17.

Cuba reported about the approved scenario of the returning of foreign tourism. Potentially, charter flights from Russia will be the first who could return to Caribbean resorts.

Tourism on Cuba "will definitely start" in the autumn, and the introduction of a 14-day quarantine for guests is not planned.

This week, retail received messages from Russian tour operators with announcements of early booking for the autumn-winter period of 2021.

According to the Border Service of the Russian Federation, last year 119 thousand Russians visited Cuba - 26% more than in 2018. Operators connect the growth of tourist flow primarily with an increase of charter transportation.

Royal Flight airline received permission for charter flights from Moscow to Cuba. The carrier will be able to fly to Holguin and Varadero from the capital of Russia from March 29 to October 24.

In 2019, Cuba hosted a record number of Russian tourists. In terms of tourist flow, Russia firstly entered in the TOP-3 of the source markets of this Caribbean destination.

The desire to spend the New Year on exotic islands is increasing among Russians despite on the economic situation. A lot of hotels offer accommodation for New Year dates on favorable conditions.

The representatives of tourist retailers reported the information about the most popular destinations of the beginning of the autumn-winter season. Thailand, the UAE and Vietnam became the leaders in the Asian destinations.

Russian tourists most often buy winter tours on early booking program in Thailand, the UAE and Vietnam. Also the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Cuba are among the leading destinations for Russians in the winter season.

The first flight to Santa Clara Airport in Cuba will fly from the capital's Vnukovo Airport on November 3. At present time, the board is already 80% loaded. Close to the winter season sales of tours to Cuba are becoming more active and the prospects for a charter novelty of the season are very high.

Cuba is expecting another record from Russia: the Russian tourist flow for the first 9 months of 2019 has increased by 14% there. The sales in the organized market show even greater growth.

Representatives of the tourist retail industry have noted the increased attractiveness of holidays in the Caribbean among Russian tourists. Due to the growth of charter transportation and good prices, Cuba has a chance to increase its volumes this winter, and a number of retail’s networks note a high demand for Caribbean countries.

In mid-October tour operators named the most popular destinations for the November holidays. At the peak of popularity are Turkey, the UAE, Cyprus, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Sri Lanka and Cuba.

In the upcoming winter season tour operators will increase the number of flights to Cuba. Royal Flight has received five approvals for Cuba for the coming winter. The relevant data were published in the order of the Federal Air Transport Agency on September 20.

By the order of the tour operator Coral Travel, Royal Flight airline will launch its own charter program from Moscow to the Holguin resort on October 22. Holguin will be the second airport in Cuba, where airline charters will fly.

The number of Russian tourists, visiting Cuba from January to August 2019, amounted to 90 thousand, which is 12% more compared to the same period last year.

In addition to the flight program to Varadero, the tour operator Coral Travel launches its own flight program for the winter season at Holguin Airport from October 22.

The flights to Cuba are planned by 5 main Russian tour operators. They have chosen 6 different airports of Cuba as arrival points for the tourists. This wide spectrum of proposals will be an attractive moment for them. Some programs are planned for the whole year round. The table below shows the details of all the programs published by tour operators till now.