Cubana welcomes back an Il-96

Cubana has celebrated another happy moment in 2023 with the return of one of its two Il-96s. On 3 December 2023, Il-96-300 CU-T1250 (74393302015) was welcomed back at Havana after having received maintenance since August 2022 in Russia.

With the arrival of the Ilyushin, Cubana has doubled its jet-fleet as earlier in September, it welcomed back Tupolev Tu-204 TU-1702 (1450743764042), which had been in Russia for four years of maintenance.

At this stage it's a bit unclear which routes Cubana is planning to use both aircraft on. Hopefully we will be able to see the Ilyushin back on the airline's service to Madrid. Once back in service, the airline will be the world's only airline-operator of the type.

The Tupolev has, since its return to Cuba, initially been used for domestic flights. However, on 28 November 2023, it crossed the Atlantic (via Gander) with the Cuban President to Moscow-Vnukovo. Two days later, on 30 November 2023 it flew to Doha, and on 3 December 2023 to Tehran. On 5 December 2023 it flew back to Doha, so it's most likely on the way back to Cuba.

Photo by Cubana.