Airlines' arrival cheered in Cuba

Mourning nation hails U.S. visitors

David McGraw (left) and Derrick Jones, both of New York, look over their paperwork Monday while waiting to check in for JetBlue’s inaugural fl ight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Havana.
David McGraw (left) and Derrick Jones, both of New York, look over their paperwork Monday while waiting to check in for JetBlue’s inaugural fl ight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Havana.

HAVANA -- Passengers applauded as the first commercial flight from the United States to Havana in more than 50 years landed Monday in Cuba, arriving as the island holds a week of memorial services for Fidel Castro.

In honor of the inaugural voyage, Cubans saluted the packed American Airlines flight with firetrucks that sprayed water above the plane as it taxied along the runway at Jose Marti International Airport.

"It was very emotional for me," said Jonathan Gonzalez, 31, a Cuban-American born in Miami, who said it was his third time visiting the island.

Passengers wearing straw hats provided by American Airlines with the word "Cuba" on the back were greeted with welcome signs in various languages -- but no music. The visitors arrived as tens of thousands began paying homage to Castro in Havana. A state-sanctioned ban on live music has hushed the capital's usually festive nightlife.

"I'm intrigued to see how the city is after the death of Fidel Castro," said Tamara Cara, 45, an education professional from Puerto Rico who was on the flight.

For years, U.S. travelers to the island have had to go through burdensome charter flights with four-hour check-ins. The U.S. and Cuba signed a deal in February to restore commercial air traffic, marking one of the most important developments since Presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama announced nearly two years ago that they would restore diplomatic relations.

President-elect Donald Trump has denounced Obama's moves to open relations with the Cuban government. Adviser Kellyanne Conway told ABC's This Week on Sunday that nothing has been decided on Cuba, but she reiterated Trump's criticism that the U.S. is allowing commercial aircraft to do business with a repressive Cuban government and military without getting anything in return.

Several other flights from the U.S. were scheduled to arrive Monday, including a JetBlue flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

"We'll see what will happen with the Trump administration," said Alfredo Gonzalez, American Airlines' director for the Caribbean. "We don't know exactly what will happen, but we can say that we are in Cuba, in the provinces, in Havana, and we will continue our service moving forward."

American Airlines held a small celebration for the passengers in Miami before they departed, serving typical Cuban staples like croquettes and cheese-filled pastries.

Jonathan Gonzalez said he felt he was arriving at what will be a "difficult time" for the island but remained optimistic for the country's future.

"What is coming ahead will be good," he said.

Business on 11/29/2016

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