Obama’s Cuba plan takes wing

THE first scheduled commercial passenger flight from the US to Cuba in more than 50 years landed this week, opening another chapter in US President Barack Obama’s efforts to improve ties and increase trade and travel with the former foe.

A JetBlue Airways passenger jet arrived from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the central Cuban city of Santa Clara, the first of a plethora of new flights by US airlines to destinations on the Communist-ruled island.

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes, other officials and journalists were aboard the 150-seat plane. —