San Antonio de los Baños Airfield

San Antonio de los Baños Airfield is a dual-use airport located in San Antonio de los Baños, Artemisa Province, Cuba, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Havana. The airfield is operated by the Cuban Air Force and the Cuban Ministry of Transportation, and it serves as a base for Mil Mi-8 helicopters and Antonov An-2 aircraft. The airfield is also used by Cubana de Aviación, the national airline of Cuba, for domestic flights to destinations such as Varadero, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba. Nearby cities include Guane, Consolación del Sur, and Pinar del Río.

History

The history of San Antonio de los Baños Airfield dates back to the early 20th century, when it was used as a base for United States Army Air Forces aircraft during World War II. The airfield was also used by the Cuban Revolutionary Air Force during the Cuban Revolution, with notable figures such as Che Guevara and Fidel Castro using the airfield as a base for their operations. After the revolution, the airfield was nationalized and became a key base for the Cuban Air Force, with aircraft such as the MiG-15 and MiG-17 being stationed there. The airfield has also been used by Aeroflot, the national airline of the Soviet Union, for flights to destinations such as Moscow and Leninabad. Other airlines that have used the airfield include Interflug, the national airline of East Germany, and Czech Airlines, the national airline of Czechoslovakia.

Facilities

The airfield has a single runway, which is approximately 2,500 meters long and 45 meters wide. The runway is equipped with a Instrument Landing System (ILS) and a Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) navigation system. The airfield also has a number of hangars and maintenance facilities, which are used by the Cuban Air Force and Cubana de Aviación for aircraft maintenance and repair. The airfield is also equipped with a Fire station and a Medical center, which provide emergency services to aircraft and passengers. Nearby facilities include the University of Havana, the Havana Zoo, and the José Martí International Airport.

Military use

San Antonio de los Baños Airfield is a key base for the Cuban Air Force, with a number of military aircraft being stationed there. The airfield is home to the 216th Fighter Squadron, which operates MiG-23 fighter aircraft, and the 217th Transport Squadron, which operates Antonov An-26 transport aircraft. The airfield is also used by the Cuban Army for Mil Mi-24 helicopter operations, and by the Cuban Navy for Mil Mi-14 helicopter operations. The airfield has been used for a number of military exercises, including the Annual Military Parade and the Cuban Military Games. Other military units that use the airfield include the Russian Air Force, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force, and the Venezuelan Air Force.

Civil aviation

San Antonio de los Baños Airfield is also used for civil aviation, with Cubana de Aviación operating domestic flights to destinations such as Varadero, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba. The airfield is also used by Aerogaviota, a Cuban Ministry of Transportation-owned airline, for charter flights to destinations such as Cayo Largo del Sur and Isla de la Juventud. The airfield has been used by a number of international airlines, including Air France, Iberia, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, for flights to destinations such as Paris, Madrid, and Amsterdam. Other airlines that have used the airfield include Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and Alitalia.

Accidents and incidents

There have been a number of accidents and incidents at San Antonio de los Baños Airfield over the years. In 1989, a Cubana de Aviación Ilyushin Il-62 aircraft crashed on takeoff, killing all 126 people on board. In 2002, a Cuban Air Force MiG-23 fighter aircraft crashed during a training exercise, killing the pilot. In 2010, a Cubana de Aviación Tupolev Tu-204 aircraft suffered a Engine failure during takeoff, but was able to land safely. The airfield has also been affected by a number of natural disasters, including Hurricane Michelle in 2001 and Hurricane Ike in 2008. Other incidents have involved aircraft from Aeroflot, Interflug, and Czech Airlines.

Category:Airports in Cuba