José Martí International Airport
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| José Martí International Airport | |
|---|---|
| Name | José Martí International Airport |
| IATA | HAV |
| ICAO | MUHA |
| Owner | Government of Cuba |
| Operator | Empresa Cubana de Aeropuertos y Servicios Aeronáuticos |
| City-served | Havana |
| Location | Boyeros, Havana |
| Elevation-f | 210 |
| Elevation-m | 64 |
| Coordinates | 22, 59, 21, N... |
| R1-number | 06/24 |
| R1-length-m | 4,000 |
| R1-length-f | 13,123 |
| R1-surface | Asphalt |
| R2-number | 01/19 |
| R2-length-m | 3,500 |
| R2-length-f | 11,483 |
| R2-surface | Asphalt |
José Martí International Airport is the primary international gateway to Cuba and serves its capital, Havana. Located in the Boyeros municipality, it is the busiest airport in the Caribbean region by passenger traffic and aircraft movements. Named after the Cuban national hero and poet José Martí, the facility is operated by the state-owned Empresa Cubana de Aeropuertos y Servicios Aeronáuticos and serves as a hub for the national carrier Cubana de Aviación.
History
The airport's origins trace back to 1929 when the Columbus Airport was established, later renamed Rancho-Boyeros Airport. Its development accelerated in the post-World War II era, with significant expansion occurring after the Cuban Revolution and the rise of Fidel Castro's government. The current main terminal, Terminal 3, was inaugurated in 1998 with assistance from a Canadian consortium, marking a major modernization effort. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, it was a critical node for air travel between Cuba and the Soviet Union, as well as other Eastern Bloc nations.
Facilities
The airport complex consists of five passenger terminals, with Terminal 3 handling the majority of international flights. Key facilities include extensive duty-free shopping, multiple banking outlets operated by Banco Central de Cuba, and VIP lounges such as the Club Havana. The airfield features two primary asphalt runways capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft like the Ilyushin Il-96 and Airbus A330. Cargo and maintenance operations are supported by the Cubana de Aviación technical base and hangars originally designed for servicing Aeroflot fleets during the Cold War.
Airlines and destinations
As the main hub for Cubana de Aviación, the airport connects Havana to domestic destinations like Santiago de Cuba and Holguín, and to international points across Europe, Latin America, and North America. Major international carriers include Air France to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, Conviasa to Simón Bolívar International Airport (Venezuela), and Aeroméxico to Benito Juárez International Airport. Seasonal and charter services are operated by airlines such as Blue Panorama Airlines and Sunwing Airlines, particularly to cities in Canada and Italy.
Statistics
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it consistently ranked among the top airports in the Caribbean by passenger volume, often exceeding 4 million annual passengers. The busiest international routes historically include flights to Miami International Airport, José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Cargo traffic is significant, handling key exports like pharmaceuticals from BioCubaFarma and imports of industrial equipment, with major freight operators including Moscow Domodedovo Airport-based AirBridgeCargo Airlines.
Accidents and incidents
The airport has witnessed several notable aviation accidents. In 1977, a Douglas DC-8 operated by Aeroflot crashed on approach, resulting in fatalities. A 1989 disaster involved a Cubana de Aviación Ilyushin Il-62M that crashed near José Martí International Airport shortly after takeoff on a flight to Cologne Bonn Airport, with significant loss of life. More recently, in 2018, a Boeing 737 operated by Cubana de Aviación crashed shortly after departure from José Martí International Airport en route to Frank Pais Airport in Holguín.
Ground transportation
The airport is connected to central Havana, approximately 15 kilometers away, via the Avenida Rancho Boyeros thoroughfare. Primary public transport options include official taxicabs operated by Taxi OK and Panataxi, as well as bus routes managed by Empresa de Ómnibus Urbanos. Many visitors utilize pre-arranged transfers through major Havana hotels like the Hotel Nacional de Cuba or rental car services from agencies like Cubacar and Havanautos. The Boyeros railway station also provides a limited rail link to other parts of the city.
Category:Airports in Cuba Category:Buildings and structures in Havana Category:Transport in Havana