Russian leisure airline Nordwind Airlines has resumed flights to Cuba on a limited basis.
For the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February, Nordwind is operating limited flights between Moscow and the Cuban resort destinations of Cayo Coco and Varadero. The resumption of flights is significant as it marks the first time Cuba and Russia have been connected since the invasion of Ukraine in late February.
Two Cuban Cities Welcome Back Nordwind’s Boeing 777s
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With Russian websites blocked from the West due to sanctions, a schedule for Nordwind flights is inaccessible at this time. However, flight tracking websites offer insight into how often the flights operate.
Nordwind operated a flight between Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) and Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport (VRA) in Varadero, Cuba, on 04 October. The flight back to Moscow departed the next day.
The carrier also operated a flight between Moscow and Jardines del Rey Airport (CCC) on the island of Cayo Coco, Cuba – also on 04 October. That flight made the return trip to Moscow on 05 October. Nordwind also operated a flight from Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) to Cayo Coco on 14 October, returning the next day to SVO. Vnukovo – the third busiest of Moscow’s four major airports – is not served by Nordwind, and it is unclear why the flight to Cayo Coco originated there.
According to FlightAware, Varadero flights are operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, while Cayo Coco flights are operated by a 777-200. Both types feature a single-class configuration with either 440 (777-200) or 486 seats (777-300ER).
Getting to Cuba from Russia isn’t as Easy as it Once Was
![Nordwind Airlines flight from Moscow to Cuba](https://avgeekery.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-17-at-11.41.06-PM-1160x876.png)
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 33 countries blocked Russian aircraft from their airspace, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Albania, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and all 27 countries of the European Union (EU).
During peacetime, flights to Cuba from Moscow typically use European airspace as they travel toward the Atlantic Ocean. Since the war began, however, that routing is no longer an option. So Nordwind — and other Russian airlines — had to figure out a new way to get around the closed airspace.
According to data from FlightAware, Cuba flights now take off in a northerly direction towards the Barents Sea. The route then takes flights off the northern coast of Norway and then southwest between Greenland and Iceland. From there, flights stay far off the coast of North America before traversing the southern Bahamas as they begin their approach to either Varadero or Caya Coco, both on Cuba’s northern coast. The return trip follows roughly the same course, except for flying to the east of Iceland.
The new routing comes at a cost, however. Flying to the north and west of Europe adds just over 1,000 miles to the journey. A recent trip from SVO to VRA took 13 hours and 21 minutes, while the return trip to SVO took 12 hours and 55 minutes.
A Risky Move
![Nordwind Airlines Boeing 777 at sunset](https://avgeekery.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/261666973_1176884016170936_2850092109729717389_n-1160x870.jpeg)
With most of the 7,000 mile flight over water and far offshore from airspace that is unavailable to them, Nordwind’s Boeing 777s can easily handle the journey — so long as no problems arise. It would certainly be interesting to see what would happen if there was ever a need for a diversion.
If a problem required a diversion to Europe, Canada, or the United States, the aircraft would be at risk of seizure by authorities. Additionally, maintenance on the aircraft would be impossible to perform due to sanctions.
The diversion of a Cuba-bound Russian flight to the United States is not unprecedented, however. In January 2018, an Azur Air Boeing 767 developed an engine fuel leak over the Atlantic Ocean while en route to Cuba. The flight made an immediate diversion to Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) in New Jersey. Azur Air flew in a replacement aircraft to take the passengers to their original destination.
Nordwind Airlines Once Served 98 Cities
![Nordwind Airlines Boeing 777](https://avgeekery.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TTabaoshab-1160x773.jpeg)
Founded in 2008, Nordwind Airlines has its main hub and headquarters at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport. Initially a Boeing 757 operator, the carrier now operates a fleet of 28 aircraft.
Of the 28, only 21 are currently in service, including four Airbus A321-200s, two A321neos, one Airbus A330-200, ten Boeing 737-800s, two 777-200s, and two 777-300ERs. The airline is a subsidiary of parent company Pegas Touristik, a Russian tour operator.
At one point, Nordwind served 98 cities in 28 countries, including 23 cities in Europe. It also served five cities in Cuba via seasonal charters.
Reports indicate that additional Russian airlines will relaunch Cuba service in the weeks and months ahead. For Cuba, the flights – and the tourist revenue they bring – will be most welcome. Cuba’s National Office of Statistics and Information estimated that more than 146,000 Russian citizens visited Cuba in 2021.