WestJet CEO Meets with Cuban President Amid Hopes for Expansion of Passenger Flights to Havana

WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech met Wednesday with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel in Havana, a high-level meeting that has fueled speculation that the Canadian airline could soon expand passenger service to Cuba—potentially filling the void left by Air Canada’s elimination of direct flights to the capital.

They formally described the meeting at the Palace of the Revolution as a gesture of goodwill, although no concrete announcements were made. “We greatly appreciate the work you are doing with Cuba,” President Díaz-Canel told von Hoensbroech, expressing a desire to “continue working together.” The WestJet executive responded by calling Cuba “a very important destination for Canadians.”

While the official statement offered few specifics, some observers are reading between the lines, hopeful that the dialogue could lead to broader passenger air service. Online petitions, including one hosted on Change.org, have called on Canadian carriers to restore flights to Havana following Air Canada’s service elimination.

However, as of June 13, WestJet does not currently offer passenger flights to Havana. When contacted by this publication, a WestJet representative confirmed that there are no passenger flights scheduled to the Cuban capital at this time.

What is clear is that WestJet is deepening its footprint in Cuba through cargo services. The airline recently announced expanding cargo operations to three new Cuban destinations, building on its 2023 launch of cargo service between Toronto (YYZ) and Havana.

WestJet’s current schedule in Cuba includes:

• Daily passenger flights from Toronto to Varadero,
• Four weekly flights to Santa Clara, and
• Three weekly flights to Holguin.

In terms of cargo, WestJet now offers:

• Daily freight service between Montreal (YUL) and Varadero, and
• Four weekly cargo flights between Montréal and Holguin.

Its new cargo route to Havana, which began in September 2023, offers up to 20 tons of capacity per weekly flight.

“Canada is Cuba’s fourth-largest trading partner,” said Julius Mooney, WestJet’s Director of Commercial Cargo. “This unique economic relationship has opened amazing opportunities for our clients and our business.”

Wednesday’s meeting included Cuban Tourism Minister Juan Carlos García Granda, Deputy Minister Jorge Alberto García Domínguez, and Erick Rodríguez, Executive Vice President of Canadian tour operator Sunwing.

Cuban officials described von Hoensbroech’s visit as “brief but very profitable,” noting that he toured several top destinations popular among Canadian tourists. Though flights to Havana have been mentioned on social media platforms, no timeline or confirmation for passenger service to the capital has yet been announced.