Arsenio Arocha Elias-Moisés, deputy director of Cubana de Aviacion, said that these measures are part of the tightening and new aggressiveness of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade, imposed on our country for almost 60 years.

He said that the measures have as a consequence “the aggravation of economic damages, and cause breaches of commercial contracts, leading to dissatisfaction among our passengers, with the consequent impact on the image of Cuban companies,” he said.

He reported that Cubana de Aviacion has been notified by leasing companies in third countries of the cessation of previously signed lease agreements, causing the cancellation of international flights to the destinations of Santo Domingo, Mexico, Cancun, Caracas, Port-au-Prince, Fort de France, and Point de Pitre.

The impact is also felt in domestic transportation, since some national routes must be readjusted, at the moment limited to Holguín and Santiago de Cuba.

The deputy director explained that studies have been conducted to determine how best to rearrange itineraries to minimize the impact, and that further information will be released in a timely manner.He conveyed an apology from the company for any inconvenience caused as a result of the new measures imposed by the U.S. government, and reiterated that despite the aggressive escalation, the airline will seek appropriate solutions to continue providing its services.

He added that passengers affected by the cancellation of flights will be reimbursed the full value of their tickets at commercial offices.The manager emphasized, “Through December 31, it is estimated that 40,000 potential passengers will not be transported, and income of ten million CUC will be lost, impacting the company economically.”

(Granma)

The Party Political Bureau member highlighted the importance of specialized training for university graduates in order to guarantee a group of specialists linked to different aviation activities, and called to review possibilities within the entity itself for Cubana professionals to lead key training courses.

As in prior meetings Valdés Mesa highlighted First Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz’s emphasis on saving and effective planning as a key management tool in order to avoid using “reserves,” which leads to inefficient management, and in so doing meet established targets (revenue). “We must be more realistic with our plans. We must not plan for what we cannot achieve,” he stated, while also expressing his confidence in the intelligence of the work force to resolve problems when they are reported and addressed by management.

Roberto Peña Samper, president of the Cuban Aviation Corporation, gave a critical update of the current situation affecting the entity, which has been unable to obtain vital resources to keep the majority of its aircrafts operational and expand aviation services, due to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by successive U.S. administrations.

Meanwhile, Hermes Hernández Dumas, director general of Cubana de Aviación, gave a report on the current state of the entity, in which he highlighted efforts by staff to continue providing a satisfactory response to demands despite the complexity of their work.

He also mentioned investments scheduled to be undertaken in Terminal 3 and efforts to respond to demands and proposals by national flight passengers, given growing demand for this service.

Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, first deputy minister of Transport, explained that negotiations, at the highest level, are still underway with a French company regarding an investment project which will improve efficiency at José Martí International Airport as well as others around the country.

Valdés Mesa was accompanied on his visit by Party and government officials from Havana and the municipality of Boyeros.

(Granma)

To de discussed are issues of significant impact on the population such as passenger transportation; the work of processing offices; investment in the country’s water distribution system and the population’s satisfaction with services; and even the organization of the National Baseball Series, as well as the participation of players contracted in other leagues abroad.

Deputies will receive information on the performance of the state budget and the fulfillment of the 2017 National Economic Plan, in addition to examining proposals for the 2018 Plan and budget.

To be evaluated as well are measures adopted to ensure maintenance and repair of sugar mills and the condition of plantings for the 2017-2018 harvest; and progress on implementing policies directed toward greater use of renewable resources and the efficient use of energy.

(Granma)