US Airlines To Begin Direct Flights To Cuba

Cuba is prepared for commercial U.S. flights beginning next week, the country's deputy minister of transport said Friday.



JetBlue will land in Villa Clara on Aug. 31 from Ft. Lauderdale, marking the reestablishment of regular flights from the U.S. to the island on a route not traveled in more than half a century.



"It is a positive step and contribution to the improving relations between Cuba and the U.S.," deputy transportation minister Eduardo Rodriguez told local media.



Travel restrictions on Americans wanting to visit the Caribbean island still exist but recent changes to regulations since a rapprochement between the two nations in 2015 have been a step in a positive direction, Rodriguez said.



The head of the Cuban Institute of Civil Aeronautics noted the new era makes it possible to have as many as 110 daily flights -- 10 each at the nation's international airport, except Havana due to technicalities that have not yet been worked out.



While JetBlue flights will begin next week, regular flights via American Airlines will start in September to Holguin and Cienfuegos. -