Maiden commercial flight from US to Cuba takes off

Fort Lauderdale (US), Aug 31 (AFP) Cuba and the US tookthe latest step in their efforts to boost ties today when thefirst regular commercial flight from America to thecommunist-ruled island in more than 50 years took off. JetBlue Flight 386 left Fort Lauderdale in southeasternFlorida shortly after 10:00 AM (1400 GMT) with 150 passengerson board. After less than an hour in the air, it will land incentral Cuba’s Santa Clara, 280 kilometers east of Havana. The flight is the first of dozens of daily tripsconnecting US cities to nine Cuban airports, many of them inor near tourism hotspots. Regular air service was severedduring the Cold War, and charter flights have been the onlyair links since. "It’s a new day for Cuba travelers and one we havethoughtfully prepared for. We are proud to usher in a new eraof Cuba travel with affordable fares and great service,"JetBlue’s executive vice president Marty St George said. The Fort Lauderdale airport was in full party mode nearJet Blue’s departure area — a live salsa band blared Cubanfavorites as passengers and bystanders broke into spontaneousdances. There were cheers, applause and a sea of balloons asboarding for the historic flight got underway. For some, there were also tears of joy. "I am so proud, so overcome with emotion," said DomingoSantana, 53, who left Cuba when he was just six years old. Since then, he said, "I’ve never been in my country. Idon’t know my country," adding: "It’s a great opportunity." Today’s JetBlue flight will be flown by Captain MarkLuaces and First Officer Francisco Barreras, both Americans ofCuban descent, the airline said. The plane was sent off with a water cannon salute, anaviation tradition in which aircraft pass under arcs of waterbefore flying to their destinations for the first time. Mark Gale, director of operations for the airport, saidit was one of the "great moments in history," likening it tothe moon landing or the fall of the Berlin Wall. Another passenger, Aleisy Barreda, 46, was overcome withemotion. "This reopening has really benefitted us," she gushed. "Not only in terms of the ticket prices, but also interms of how much easier it is to purchase them," she said. "Now we only need more vacation time!" The last regular commercial flight between the twocountries took place in 1961, when air links fell victim tothe Cold War. Air travel between the United States and Cuba has beenrestricted to charter flights since 1979. Washington and Havana agreed in February to restoredirect commercial flights — one of several watershed changesinitiated in December 2014, when US President Barack Obama andCuba’s Raul Castro announced a thaw after more than 50 yearsof hostility. Diplomatic relations were restored in July 2015. (AFP)ZH