First commercial flight in 50 years connects Key West to Cuba
The first commercial passenger flight from Key West to Cuba in more than 50 years has landed in Havana, capping several years of efforts to reunite the two islands, though regular air service still appeared a distant prospect.
The first commercial passenger flight from Key West to Cuba in more than 50 years has landed in Havana, capping several years of efforts to reunite the two islands, though regular air service still appeared a distant prospect.
US Customs and Border Protection gave the final approval for the flight Monday morning, and the nine-passenger aircraft departed 90 minutes later at 10am, 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 US 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.
It’s going to be great for the city … to be able to go back and forth directly
Cuba and Key West have a long and interwoven history. Before the 1959 revolution, there was regular flight and ferry service to the island. Residents could fly to Havana for lunch and be back in Key West for dinner.