Cuban Airline launches scheduled service to Jamaica

Cuban Airline launches scheduled service to Jamaica

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, August 27, 2013



THE options for travel from Cuba to Jamaica each year have been boosted

with yesterday's official launch of Aerogaviota's scheduled air service

between Havana and Kingston. The airline has been operating chartered

flights to Kingston for the past three years

Speaking at the launch at the Norman Manley International Airport in

Kingston, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Water

and Housing Dr Morais Guy said that, under the partnership, the

Havana-based airline will make three weekly trips between Cuba and

Jamaica -- flying Mondays and Fridays between Havana and Kingston and on

Wednesdays between Havana and Montego Bay, St James.

"We take pride in welcoming this group partnership," said Guy, who

described the partnership as a win-win situation for Jamaica and Cuba.

He said the partnership adds diversity to the travelling options.

He also said that the introduction of air service by Aerogaviota signals

that there was confidence not just in the Jamaican economy, but in the

people and Government.

His sentiments were shared by Damion Crawford, minister of state in the

Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment.

Crawford also said that the development will open the gates for many

visitors to the country, and that it was another step towards building

the partnership between the two countries.

Meanwhile, outgoing Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica Yuri Gala Lopez

described the move as the starting of a new phase in terms of linkages

between Jamaica and Cuba.

"The launch will facilitate the flow of passengers between both

countries. In a way this will also help the multi-destination component

in our bilateral relationship," said the ambassador.

"I think it will be an additional tool in our joint effort to not only

maintain the dynamic and very close relationships that we have, but to

take it to another level," he added.

Yesterday, Judie O'Sullivan, sales and marketing executive for Jetaway

Travel Service Limited, said the development means that it will be less

hassling and cheaper to travel between the two cities as travellers will

no longer have to book connecting flights.



Source: "Cuban Airline launches scheduled service to Jamaica - News -

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