Ignacio Agramonte International Airport

Ignacio Agramonte International Airport
Name	Ignacio Agramonte International Airport
IATA	CMW
ICAO	MUCM
Owner	Government of Cuba
Operator	ECASA
City-served	Camagüey
Location	Camagüey Province, Cuba
Elevation-f	413
Elevation-m	126
Coordinates	21, 25, 14, N...
R1-number	08/26
R1-length-m	3,000
R1-length-f	9,843
R1-surface	Asphalt
Stat-year	2023
Stat1-header	Passengers
Stat1-data	~500,000
Footnotes	Source: ECASA

Ignacio Agramonte International Airport is the primary international gateway serving the city of Camagüey and the surrounding Camagüey Province in central Cuba. Named for the Cuban War of Independence hero Ignacio Agramonte, the facility is operated by the state-owned ECASA and handles a mix of scheduled international flights, domestic services, and seasonal charter traffic. It functions as a key aviation hub for the central region, connecting the area to destinations in North America and Europe.

History

The airport's origins trace back to military use during the early 20th century, with significant development occurring in the post-World War II era to accommodate growing civil aviation. Following the Cuban Revolution and the subsequent restructuring of the nation's infrastructure under the Government of Cuba, the facility was expanded and modernized. It was renamed in honor of Ignacio Agramonte, a prominent figure in the Ten Years' War against Spanish rule. Major upgrades to the runway and terminal were completed in the late 1990s and early 2000s to handle increased international tourism, particularly from Canada and Europe.

Facilities

The airport features a single passenger terminal building with separate areas for international and domestic operations. The single runway, 08/26, is 3,000 meters long and paved with asphalt, capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 767 and Airbus A330. Navigational aids include an Instrument Landing System (ILS). The terminal offers basic amenities including currency exchange operated by Banco Central de Cuba, retail shops, and food service outlets. Cargo operations are supported by dedicated warehouse space managed by Cubana de Aviación and other handling agents.

Airlines and destinations

The airport is served by several airlines providing year-round and seasonal connections. The national flag carrier, Cubana de Aviación, operates domestic flights to Havana and international services. Key international carriers include Air Canada Rouge and Sunwing Airlines with seasonal flights from cities like Toronto and Montréal. American Airlines has historically operated services from Miami. Other operators include Blue Panorama Airlines from Italy and various charter companies from markets in Great Britain and Germany.

Statistics

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport regularly handled over 500,000 passengers annually, with traffic heavily weighted towards the winter tourist season from November to April. The majority of passenger traffic is international, originating primarily from Canada, which constitutes the largest source market for visitors to the region. Cargo traffic is modest, primarily consisting of general goods and perishables. Passenger numbers saw a sharp decline in 2020-2021 but have been recovering in line with the rebound of Cuba's tourism sector.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained a strong safety record with no major fatal accidents involving commercial airliners. Historical incidents primarily involve military aircraft from the pre-revolutionary era. In more recent decades, there have been minor incidents involving runway excursions by light aircraft during adverse weather conditions, none resulting in significant injuries or fatalities. The safety oversight is conducted by the Institute of Civil Aeronautics of Cuba.

Ground transportation

The airport is located approximately 9 kilometers northeast of central Camagüey. The primary means of transport for visitors are officially licensed taxis, which are available outside the terminal. There is no direct public bus service to the airport, but interprovincial buses operated by Víazul and Astro connect Camagüey's main terminal to other major cities like Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Varadero. Rental car services are available from the state-owned provider Cubacar.

Category:Airports in Cuba Category:Buildings and structures in Camagüey Province Category:International airports