Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport
Encyclopedia
Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport is an international
airport serving Varadero, Cuba
and the province of Matanzas
. The airport is located closer to the town of Matanzas
than to Varadero. The closest airport to Varadero is Santa Marta Airport. Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport is the second busiest airport in Cuba after José Martí International Airport
in Havana
.
The terminal building has a few shops, duty free shop, cafeterias and crowded lounges. The ground handling equipment is imported mainly from North America.
There are three jet bridges, but air stairs are used for the remaining aircraft parking spaces on the apron by the terminal.
The airport is named for journalist and black rights activist in Cuba Juan Gualberto Gómez
(1854–1933).
International
----International mostly means something that involves more than one country. The term international as a word means involvement of, interaction between or encompassing more than one nation, or generally beyond national boundaries...
airport serving Varadero, Cuba
Varadero
Varadero is a resort town in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, and one of the largest resort areas in the Caribbean. Varadero is also called Playa Azul, which means "blue beach" in Spanish.-Geography:...
and the province of Matanzas
Matanzas Province
Matanzas is one of the provinces of Cuba. Major towns in the province include Cárdenas, Colón, Jovellanos and the capital of the same name, Matanzas...
. The airport is located closer to the town of Matanzas
Matanzas
Matanzas is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas. It is famed for its poets, culture, and Afro-Cuban folklore.It is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Matanzas , east of the capital Havana and west of the resort town of Varadero.Matanzas is called the...
than to Varadero. The closest airport to Varadero is Santa Marta Airport. Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport is the second busiest airport in Cuba after José Martí International Airport
José Martí International Airport
José Martí International Airport , sometimes known by its former name Rancho-Boyeros Airport, is located southwest of Havana, Cuba, and is a hub for Cubana de Aviación, Aerogaviota and Aero Caribbean, and former Latin American hub for Aeroflot Soviet Airlines...
in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
.
The terminal building has a few shops, duty free shop, cafeterias and crowded lounges. The ground handling equipment is imported mainly from North America.
There are three jet bridges, but air stairs are used for the remaining aircraft parking spaces on the apron by the terminal.
The airport is named for journalist and black rights activist in Cuba Juan Gualberto Gómez
Juan Gualberto Gómez
Juan Gualberto Gómez Ferrer was an Afro-Cuban revolutionary leader in the Cuban War of Independence against Spain. He was a "close collaborator of Martí's," and alongside him helped plan the uprising and unite the island's black population behind the rebellion...
(1854–1933).
Airlines and destinations
Incidents
There has been 5 significant incidents involving aircraft from or enroute to the airport since the 1950s. Only 1 flight involved resulted in fatalities. Three flights involved Cubans hijacking an aircraft to flee to the United States.- March 6, 2005 - Air Transat Flight 961Air Transat Flight 961Air Transat Flight 961 was a flight from Varadero, Cuba to Quebec City, Canada on March 6, 2005. The aircraft experienced a structural failure in which the rudder detached in flight...
Airbus A310 returned safely to airport following detachment of rudder after take off. - December 29, 1992 - Aerocaribbean Antonov 26 was hijacked enroute to Varadero Airport from Havana. Aircraft lands in Miami.
- July 3, 1961 - Cubana de AviaciónCubana de AviaciónCubana de Aviación S.A., commonly known as Cubana, is Cuba's largest airline and flag carrier. The airline was founded on 8 October 1929, and has its corporate headquarters in Havana. Its main base is at José Martí International Airport...
Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
was hijacked enroute to Varadero Airport from Havana. Aircraft lands in Miami. - April 25, 1959 - Cubana de AviaciónCubana de AviaciónCubana de Aviación S.A., commonly known as Cubana, is Cuba's largest airline and flag carrier. The airline was founded on 8 October 1929, and has its corporate headquarters in Havana. Its main base is at José Martí International Airport...
Vickers ViscountVickers ViscountThe Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
was hijacked after takeoff from Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport and forced to land at Key West International Airport. - November 1, 1958 - Cubana de AviaciónCubana de AviaciónCubana de Aviación S.A., commonly known as Cubana, is Cuba's largest airline and flag carrier. The airline was founded on 8 October 1929, and has its corporate headquarters in Havana. Its main base is at José Martí International Airport...
Flight 495 Vickers ViscountVickers ViscountThe Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
755D crashes in Nipe Bay when attempting an emergency landing at Preston Airport. Plane was enroute to Varadero from Miami with 20 onboard. Only 3 survived with 17 fatalities.