Santiago de Cuba airport fully operational after Hurricane havoc

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 4 (ACN) Within 72 hours after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, the Antonio Maceo International Airport in Santiago de Cuba managed to restore its operations with a safe and efficient flow, thanks to the uninterrupted effort of its workers and the supportive backing of specialized brigades from other provinces.

From the first hours after the meteorological phenomenon impacted the Santiago territory last Wednesday, a group of technicians who remained at the terminal during the hurricane began damage assessment and preparation of the airfield.

"We were convinced that the first aid would arrive by air, which is why we conditioned the runway just six hours after Melissa passed," explained Emilio Dominico, director of the Santiago Base Business Unit, which includes the airports of this province and Guantánamo, in an exclusive statement to the Cuban News Agency.

Within just 24 hours the airport was ready to receive aircraft, and so the arrival of the first cargo plane with donations from Venezuela was realized, followed by another from Panama, he specified.

He added that within 42 hours they were already handling international flights, starting with Miami, followed by the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Suriname. Although the full equipment was not active, the necessary minimum was guaranteed to safely handle both arrivals and departures.

Once the international flow was reestablished, efforts concentrated on domestic flights, and this Tuesday the flight from Madrid and the first Cuban passengers bound for Havana are expected to be received, he stated.

Parallelly, work is underway to restore the terminal's comfort: damages to glasswork, false ceilings, and lighting are being rectified; climate control equipment is being restored; and bathrooms are being conditioned to ensure a dignified stay for travelers, he assured.

According to Dominico, one of the most complex challenges was the collapse of the kilometer-long access road to the airport; "even non-specialized workers joined in with machetes and chainsaws," he said, "and in less than 24 hours we managed to open one lane, and today both are passable."

He also highlighted the role of the young firefighters who actively participated in opening the path.

"The recovery has been possible thanks to the mobilization of 22 colleagues from civil aviation, coming from all provinces except Holguín, who arrived by road and immediately integrated into the tasks; they have been with us since the 72-hour mark, working tirelessly," stated the director.

Solidarity that was not delayed, emphasized Yamir Miyares Cruz, general coordinator of the Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport in Varadero, who arrived with a maintenance brigade to contribute to the full restoration of the Santiago airport.

"We feel honored to contribute, our goal is to recover every space, guarantee quality and comfort in all the lounges and final waiting rooms," he expressed.

The recovery actions include the intervention of the Empresa Desembarco del Granma for the glasswork and Retomed for the metal carpentry. Meanwhile, all airport workers remain full-time in cleaning tasks, debris collection, and beautification of the areas.

The Antonio Maceo International Airport is rising again not just as infrastructure, but as a symbol of dedication, organization, and solidarity. In every flight that departs or arrives, one can sense the collective effort of a country that, in the face of adversity, responds with work, unity, and hope.