It’s like seeing bitter ex-lovers mend ties and talk again after years of avoidance and animosity. The US and Cuba severed diplomatic ties in 1961 during the height of the Cold War. But hope for reconciliation appeared on July 20, 2015 with the full restoration of their diplomatic relations. Embassies in both Washington and Havana were reopened after more than five decades. And just last May, a US cruise ship carrying about 700 passengers docked in Havana and was warmly welcomed with bands, Cuban rum, and dancers.
Now, the world once again saw US and Cuba shake hands with the landing of the first US commercial flight to Cuba in 55 years.
JetBlue Flight 387’s landing was met with a water cannon salute to commemorate the historic event. Inside the plane was US transport secretary Anthony Foxx and 149 passengers.
Aside from JetBlue, the Obama administration approved 9 other US-based airlines to fly to Cuba including American Airlines, Alaska Air and Frontier Airlines. While tourism to Cuba is still banned by the US government, travel restrictions were eased to allow 12 categories of authorized travel such as education, journalism, humanitarian projects, religious activities and family visits.
