The first flight to resume air links between Cuba and China arrived in Havana on Friday, with a stopover in Spain, which will enhance connectivity and facilitate exchanges between the two countries.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner of Air China was received at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana with the traditional water salute.
The flight was received by Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, Chinese ambassador Ma Hui, and other high-level Cuban government officials.
Starting with two flights per week, it is hoped that the airline frequency will increase as passenger traffic between the two countries grows.
In a welcome ceremony at the airport attended by Air China crew members, travel agents and visitors, Marrero conveyed his gratitude to China's President Xi Jinping for making the flight resumption a reality, and noting the strengthening of relations between the governments, parties and people of China and Cuba.
"It's a valuable opportunity for us to welcome the resumption of flights by Air China between Cuba and China. We need to continue our efforts to consolidate the relationship between our two countries, so that our visa-exemption policy can better promote exchanges. We are very grateful to the Chinese people. We also believe that with this inaugural flight, we enter a new era," said Marrero.
"The resumption of direct flights between China and Cuba, together with Cuba's visa-exemption policy for Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports, has greatly saved the travel costs of Chinese tourists and made their travel planning more efficient. This will surely attract more Chinese tourists to Cuba to explore the splendid culture and long history and enjoy the natural scenery in the country. This will help with the recovery of the Cuban tourism industry, its economic and social development and overcoming the current difficulties the country is facing. It will also inject vitality into the promotion of people-to-people exchanges between China and the entire Latin American region," Ma said.
There were no direct flights from China to Cuba until Air China resumed the Beijing-Madrid-Havana route, the only direct one between China and Cuba.
The air links were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon their arrival, the passengers said they were happy to have a direct connection to the island once again.
"I am somewhat surprised that we are welcomed with the highest level of courtesy of water salute. I didn't expect that the inaugural tour had such a high level of courtesy. We often see a lot of stories about Cuba on TV, and in this tour, we will be able to really bring those distant things into reality and see them with our own eyes. We are looking forward to it," said Deng Weidong, a Chinese tourist.
Cuban tourism authorities say the resumed air connection and a recent Cuban decision to adopt a visa-exemption policy for Chinese passport holders are two important incentives.
"Prospects and expectations about these flights are significant because China has nearly 1.5 billion people, so if just a small percent of that number of citizens come here as tourists, it would be a success," said Elizabeth Vela Jaime, tourism adviser for Asia.
Cuban tourist officials hope to welcome at least 3.5 million vacationers this year, a figure that could increase if the new Beijing-Havana connection meets expectations.
First flight resuming air links between Cuba, China arrives in Havana
First flight resuming air links between Cuba, China arrives in Havana
