Cubans stranded in Suriname: Government seeks appropriate solution

The government is trying to find an appropriate solution for the Cubans who are still stranded in Suriname by asking local airlines to fly them home. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Tourism (TCT) has asked the national carrier, Surinam Airways (SLM) and Fly Allways to lend a helping hand. The group of Cubans had been brought to Suriname by Copa Airlines but were not flown back home by this foreign airline after the outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic. Monday’s flight from the SLM aimed at bringing a few of the stranded Cubans home did not go smoothly.

About 60 Cubans who had purchased SLM tickets assembled at the Johan Adolf Pengel (JAP) International Airport on Sunday were scheduled to leave at 9 a.m. but the SLM plane could not leave because it had not received permission from Cuba. Officials spared no efforts in getting the flight to take off at 7 p.m.

Fly Allways Director Amichand Jhauw pointed out that Transport, Communications and Tourism Minister Albert Jubitana had also asked his company to fly the Cubans home. The company is currently busy registering the Cubans who want to go home. Jhauw also pointed out that the first flight would be carried out on Wednesday. Fly Allways made it clear that these people had been brought to Suriname by other airlines. “But we will lend a helping hand because the TCT minster asked us to help out.”