The first weekly
charter flight connecting Los Angeles to Havana departs Saturday, reflecting
the continued easing of travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba.
American Airlines will
launch the weekly nonstop flight with a Boeing 737. The Fort Worth-based
airline already operates several charter flights to Cuba from Tampa, Fla., and
Miami but the flight from Los Angeles International Airport will be the first from
the West Coast.
The flights to Cuba
will be sold by Cuba Travel Services.
See the most-read
stories this hour >>
The new flight is the
latest signal that the nation's airline industry is gearing up for an easing of
travel restrictions to Cuba, announced by President Obama last year.
U.S. law still bars
normal tourism to Cuba but new rules now allow ordinary Americans for the first
time to visit under 12 broad categories without any advance U.S. government
approval. The twelve categories include visits to close relatives, attending
academic programs, conducting professional research, journalistic or religious
activities and participating in public performances or sports competitions.
Business groups cheer
Obama's move to normalize Cuba relations
A civil aviation
agreement with Cuba would be needed before regular commercial flights could
operate between the two countries.
American Airlines
executives say they are looking forward to such an agreement.
“We stand ready to
offer scheduled service as soon as the United States and Cuba allow commercial
flights,” said Art Torno, a senior vice president at American Airlines.
The first flight will
depart at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, following a ceremony attended by several airport
officials and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
By Hugo Martin
No comments:
Post a Comment