Cubana to restart Tu-204 operations

On 18 September 2023, Cubana took re-delivery of its Tupolev Tu-204-100E CU-T1702 (1450743764042). The aircraft arrived at the airline's base at Havana after having received major overhaul at Ulyanovsk, Russia. In total, the Tupolev spent four years in Russia, having arrived there in July 2019.

The arrival marks an important milestone for the national airline as Cubana wants to resume flying its own medium- and longhaul aircraft in the fleet again, and to restore its international network. It's, however, currently unknown on which routes the Tu-204 will be deployed. In the coming months and years, the airline expects more aircraft to return to duty after receiving maintenance in, or with the help of, Russia.

Cubana's fleet is made up of:

• An-158 CU-T1710 (201-01), delivered April 2013 and stored at Havana since August 2014
• An-158 CU-T1711 (201-02), delivered July 2013 and stored at Havana since April 2017
• An-158 CU-T1712 (201-03), delivered October 2013 and stored at Havana since April 2016
• An-158 CU-T1714 (201-04), delivered April 2014 and stored at Havana since January 2018
• An-158 CU-T1715 (201-05), delivered August 2014 and stored at Havana since March 2018
• An-158 CU-T1716 (205-06), delivered June 2015 and stored at Havana since May 2018
• ATR42-500 CU-T1240 (617), operated by Aerogaviota and parked at Havana since July 2023.
• ATR72-212 CU-T1548 (453), operational
• Il-96-300 CU-T1250 (74393302015), delivered December 2005 and in maintenance at Voronezh since August 2022
• Il-96-300 CU-T1251 (74393302016), delivered March 2006 and stored at Havana since July 2021
• Tu-204-100E CU-T1701 (1450744664035), delivered December 2007 and stored at Havana since March 2015
• Tu-204-100E CU-T1702 (1450743764042), delivered December 2007 and now re-delivered and ready for operations
• Tu-204-100CE CU-C1703 (1450744764037), delivered February 2009 and stored at Havana since October 2017

 Photo by Cubana.