MONTREAL | Air China becomes cheap tour operator from Montreal. Three times a week, flights will depart from Beijing on the same day to Havana, Cuba, for as little as $ 150 to $ 300 depending on the site chosen.
This unbeatable promotional begin on 27 December and will offer departures on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays during the winter.
“Air China saw the potential market, since there is no direct flight between Beijing and Havana, far too long. The planes landing in Montreal can therefore leave 2 hours 40 later, with travelers to Cuba and return the next day to catch a flight from Montreal to Beijing, “said the spokesman of Air China, Li Yufu Florian.
In a press release, Air China said that ties between China and Cuba are tightly tightened in recent years and that this destination will enhance economic, trade and cultural cooperation between the two countries, in addition to stimulating the Asian tourism to Cuba .
Air China also wants to offer residents of the Caribbean to borrow the Havana connecting flight, then travel to Beijing from Montreal.
First Chinese
Air China believes that flights to Havana will be used by many Asians who choose to go through Montreal before a sun destination. It calculates that 50% of places are already occupied by Chinese and Cubans who want to visit their families.
The destination to Havana will be by the same device that performs the Beijing- linking Montreal, a Boeing 777-300 with a capacity of 311 seats. Passengers will be entitled to free drinks and meals during the flight, as well as two pieces of luggage of 23 kg at no extra charge, in addition to the carry-on bag.
Air China has signed agreements with some travel agencies specializing in flights to Asia, but will also sell tickets directly from its website.
Comparative price
Return flights for a week (without accommodation package)
– Sunwing, starting December 28, 2015: 825$ (arrival in Varadero)
– WestJet, starting in January:495$ to 816$
– Air Transat departing in January: 578$ to 750$ (arrival in Varadero)
– Cubana Airlines, starting in January: 738$
Le Journal de Montréal (via Google Translate)
Silver Airways to serve Cuba starting next year
Silver Airways (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) has announced its intention to resume nonstop service to Cuba in 2016. The company has a long history of providing charter flights to Cuba, and given the announcement of a new bilateral agreement between Cuba and the U.S., Silver plans to bring much needed commercial service to many Cuban destinations in the near future. The airline will apply to the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve most, if not all, of the ten approved destinations within Cuba, including Havana.
In light of the recent Cuba announcement as well as several other exciting growth opportunities within Florida and the Caribbean, the board of directors of Silver Airways has initiated a process to evaluate a range of strategic alternatives for the airline. The company has engaged Raymond James as its financial advisor to assist in exploring potential strategic partnerships, growth investments, and a merger or ownership transition that would enhance Silver’s ability to capitalize on these attractive growth opportunities.
Over the past five years, Silver has been transformed from a regional express carrier into a successful independent airline providing important air service to otherwise unserved or underserved cities across Florida and the Bahamas. As part of this transformation, the company was rebranded as Silver Airways, upgraded its fleet to SAAB 340B+ aircraft, launched its own Sabre reservation system, relocated its maintenance headquarters to Orlando, strengthened the leadership team, and implemented valuable commercial partnerships with a number of larger carriers, including United and JetBlue. These initiatives have created a compelling value proposition and unique customer experience, and have driven Silver’s revenue to nearly triple since 2011. The board is now considering several opportunities that will accelerate growth and geographic expansion, including the opening of the Cuban market.
World Airline News
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Silver Airways, Florida’s largest intrastate airline, today announced its intention to resume nonstop service to Cuba in 2016. The company has a long history of providing charter flights to Cuba, and given the announcement of a new bilateral agreement between Cuba and the U.S., Silver plans to bring much needed commercial service to many Cuban destinations in the near future. The airline will apply to the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve most, if not all, of the ten approved destinations within Cuba, including Havana. Silver Airways has a robust Sabre distribution platform and its flights can be purchased on SilverAirways.com as well as through many online travel websites. With code share partners, United and JetBlue, and interline agreements with many other domestic and international airlines, Silver is extremely well positioned to operate nonstop scheduled service from various Florida points to Cuba, the Bahamas and further into the Caribbean.
In light of the recent Cuba announcement as well as several other exciting growth opportunities within Florida and the Caribbean, the board of directors of Silver Airways has initiated a process to evaluate a range of strategic alternatives for the airline. The company has engaged Raymond James as its financial advisor to assist in exploring potential strategic partnerships, growth investments, and a merger or ownership transition that would enhance Silver’s ability to capitalize on these attractive growth opportunities.
Over the past five years, Silver has been transformed from a regional express carrier into a successful independent airline providing important air service to otherwise unserved or underserved cities across Florida and the Bahamas. As part of this transformation, the company was rebranded as Silver Airways, upgraded its fleet to Saab 340B+ aircraft, launched its own Sabre reservation system, relocated its maintenance headquarters to Orlando, strengthened the leadership team, and implemented valuable commercial partnerships with a number of larger carriers, including United and JetBlue. These initiatives have created a compelling value proposition and unique customer experience, and have driven Silver’s revenue to nearly triple since 2011. The board is now considering several opportunities that will accelerate growth and geographic expansion, including the opening of the Cuban market.
“We have made tremendous strides as an airline and have successfully accomplished the main objectives the board set out for us. With tremendous opportunities in Cuba now emerging just off the shores of our primary market, it is exactly the right time to pursue strategic alternatives for our airline,” said Silver Airway’s CEO Sami Teittinen. “As the board undertakes this process, Silver remains focused first and foremost on operating at the highest level of safety and looks forward to expanding our scheduled service to new Cuban destinations in the near future.”
Business Wire
Cuba and US agree on resuming scheduled flights
HAVANA — Cuba and the United States reached an agreement Wednesday night that will allow U.S. commercial airlines to begin operating flights to the island for the first time in decades, according to U.S. officials with knowledge of the discussion.
The understanding comes on the eve of the first anniversary of the announcement that the two countries would restore diplomatic ties and turn the page on a half-century of animosity. The agreement — which will allow carriers such as United Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue to fly to Cuba — is a significant breakthrough that should greatly simplify travel between the countries.
The agreement was reached in Washington. A U.S. official with knowledge of the talks said that negotiators from both countries were still working out technical details. But the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because there had not yet been an official announcement, said the basic outlines of the accord were in place.
The deal does not mean that Americans will be able to begin booking travel to Cuba immediately. But it would set in motion the safety inspections and other procedures required by the Federal Aviation Administration when such an agreement is reached. Experts say it will probably be three to six months before U.S. carriers can begin selling tickets to Cuba.
Until then, air service between the two countries will continue via the existing system of charter flights. Those flights typically charge $500 round-trip for the 45-minute flight between Miami and Havana. Travelers are required to check in three or four hours in advance, pay exorbitant baggage fees and endure various inconveniences.
Most of the leading U.S. carriers have said publicly that they are interested in offering service to Cuba as soon as they’re allowed to do so. United plans to fly to Havana via Houston and Newark. American Airlines has said it will provide service to Cuba from its Miami hub.
U.S. travelers who want to visit Cuba would have to qualify under one of the U.S. Treasury Department’s 12 categories for legal travel to the island. Those permitted to make such trips include U.S. residents with family members on the island, Americans traveling for religious or professional reasons and visitors who participate in licensed “people-to-people” organized tours with an educational bent.
Travel that is considered “tourism” such as visiting Cuban beaches remains prohibited under U.S. law. But the number of American travelers who visited the island in the past year increased more than 50 percent, according to Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the top American diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Havana.
The Washington Post