General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFirst commercial passenger flight from Key West to Havana in over five decades made
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/31/first-flight-from-key-west-to-havana-in-over-five-decades-made/First commercial passenger flight from Key West to Havana in over five decades made
Published December 31, 2013
Associated Press
KEY WEST, Fla. The first commercial passenger flight from Key West to Cuba in more than 50 years landed Monday in Havana, capping several years of efforts to reunite the two islands, though regular air service still appeared a distant prospect.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection gave the final approval for the flight Monday morning, and the nine-passenger aircraft departed 90 minutes later at 10 a.m., Key West International Airport director Peter Horton said.
"This is just a test run," Horton said. "Whether this is going to come and be a regular service I don't believe has been determined yet."
Federal officials granted Key West the green light to resume flights to and from the island country in October 2011. It took more than two years, however, for the first flight to take off. Charter operators said they had trouble getting all of the required approvals from U.S. and Cuban authorities. They have also struggled with capacity issues: Key West is currently only approved to process 10 passengers and crew from Cuba at a time.
snip//
The Obama administration reinstituted the cultural exchange licenses in 2011, allowing organizations to take U.S. citizens to the island for educational activities that promote understanding and exchange with ordinary Cubans.
snip//
"We're 90 miles away from Cuba," Cates said. "We're closer to Cuba than Miami. We haven't had flights over there in 50 years. It's going to be great for the city of Key West cultural exchange, historic exchange, to be able to go back and forth directly from Key West."
rrneck
(17,671 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)Yea, Cuba's system is not perfect but Putin is no peach either.
pitchforx
(49 posts)Coca Cola plans to invest an additional $300 million in the (communist) Vietnamese soft drink market by 2015.
What exactly did Cuba do to piss us off?
repel an illegal invasion? make friends with the Soviets?
Throw out the Mafia? it all makes no sense, at least in the modern world.
busterbrown
(8,515 posts)Dont want to let that shit catch on...
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Cuba would probably have normalized everything if the US wouldn't have been so hardline. And look what has happened in Nam. Vietnam is probably better off than if the US had won and kept a puppet right wing dictator in place.
The US acts like Cuba hurt their feelings or something. Waaaa! We are butthurt! Waaaaa!
TheMightyFavog
(13,770 posts)Why do we let a a small bunch of bitter, senile old farts in Miami have so much pull on forgien policy?
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)WHEN CRABS ROAR
(3,813 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)Whatever they did, they are unforgiven.
I'm wondering if things will ease up once Fidel goes to his reward.
I suspect that will be the case.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)As soon as it's legal, half the fun will be lost
pitchforx
(49 posts)but Americans will love Cuba just like they did 60 years ago. you kind of have to feel bad for Cancun and Jamaica and other Caribbean destinations- their business will take a big hit.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Just a bunch of hotels. :> ))
MyNameGoesHere
(7,638 posts)Think Las Vegas without any rules. It is because of this I have mixed feelings about allowing relations again. The virus from the north will once again try to infect a decent place.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)Large resorts will end up being built ruining the beauty of the country. It would be better to see Cuba before that happens.
malaise
(269,237 posts)Jamaica is a genuine brand.
Little Star
(17,055 posts)Cha
(297,886 posts)"Testing".. here's to it..
To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their societys ills on the West know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
Vick C. @sonamie
Follow
we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist." '09 PBO ►a man of his word! So whats the problem?
Vicky C http://theobamadiary.com/2013/12/30/2013-vcs-most-memorable-moments/
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Glassunion
(10,201 posts)Badum, pshhh!
Hekate
(90,927 posts)Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
KansDem
(28,498 posts)Thanks!