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.
