First charter flight from LAX to Cuba takes off Saturday

First charter flight from LAX to Cuba takes off Saturday
Hugo Martin

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.

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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.

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.

To read more about travel, tourism and the airline industry, follow Hugo
Martin on Twitter at @hugomartin.

Source: First charter flight from LAX to Cuba takes off Saturday - LA
Times -
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-first-charter-flight-from-lax-to-cuba-20151208-story.html