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.

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