Cubana Restores Its Iconic Ilyushin Il-96-300 to Service After Long Hiatus

In an age dominated by twin-engine giants like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, a rare four-engine classic has taken to the skies once again — and it’s turning heads in the aviation world.

Cuba’s national carrier, Cubana de Aviación, has officially restored one of its long-grounded widebody jets, the Ilyushin Il-96-300, back into service after an extensive overhaul in Belarus.

According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft — registered CU-T1250 — completed a multi-leg ferry flight from Minsk, Belarus, to Havana, Cuba, between October 11 and 12, 2025.

The route included stops in St. Petersburg (LED) and Reykjavik (KEF) before embarking on a nine-hour transatlantic journey to José Martí International Airport, where it touched down safely at 18:48 local time on October 12.

A Rare Bird Takes Flight Again

This specific airframe holds a special place in Cubana’s fleet. Delivered new in December 2005, CU-T1250 is one of only a handful of Il-96s ever operated by a non-Russian carrier. Its return to Cuba signals that the aircraft has likely undergone heavy maintenance or a complete overhaul in Belarus or Russia — a process that kept it grounded for several years.

Now restored, its reactivation could mark the Il-96’s re-entry into Cubana’s long-haul schedule, potentially serving routes to Europe or Latin America. For aviation enthusiasts, this development is nothing short of exciting — an opportunity to once again see one of the world’s rarest widebody airliners in commercial service.

The Ilyushin Il-96: A Soviet-Era Engineering Marvel

Introduced in the early 1990s, the Ilyushin Il-96-300 represents the Soviet Union’s answer to Western widebodies like the Airbus A340. Designed and built by Russia’s Ilyushin Aviation Complex, the Il-96 combines long-range performance with robust reliability — characteristics well-suited for the demanding operations of Cuba’s flag carrier.

Key Features of the Il-96-300:

• Passenger Capacity: 262 passengers (18 in Business Class + 244 in Economy)
• Engines: Four Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofans, each producing 38,360 lbf of thrust
• Range: Approximately 5,400 nautical miles (10,000 km)
• Cruising Speed: Mach 0.82 (870 km/h)
• Wingspan: 57.7 meters
• Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): Around 250 tonnes

Although its four-engine layout is considered less fuel-efficient by modern standards, the Il-96’s rugged design, redundancy, and reliability have made it a workhorse for Russian and Cuban operations in harsh and long-distance environments.

Symbol of Resilience

For Cubana de Aviación, reviving the Il-96-300 is more than a technical achievement — it’s a symbol of resilience and continuity.

Despite limited access to Western aircraft and parts, Cuba’s flag carrier continues to keep its fleet airborne through partnerships with Russia and Belarus, showcasing remarkable determination in maintaining its international connectivity.

A Treat for Aviation Enthusiasts

The reactivation of CU-T1250 has sparked excitement among the global spotting community. The Il-96 is now one of the rarest widebody jets still flying — with only a small number remaining operational worldwide.

Its distinctive four-engine silhouette and classic Soviet design make it a prized catch for aircraft photographers and aviation historians alike.

As CU-T1250 once again soars over the Atlantic skies, its return is a nostalgic reminder of an era when four engines symbolized prestige, endurance, and power. For Cubana de Aviación — and for aviation fans everywhere — this comeback is a rare and welcome sight.

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