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01/11/13 - Central Florida News 13 - Flying to Cuba? Options will be fewer

TAMPA -- 

It's been just shy of a year and a half since people started flying
directly from Tampa International Airport to Cuba.  Even though the number
of people flying to the island nation has nearly doubled, there are some
major changes in the air.

It was history in the making back in September 2011 when the first direct
flight from Tampa to Cuba took off in the past 50 years.

Now, the three charter companies that run those flights are making changes
and one Tampa travel agent says it all boils down to the bottom line.

"What we know is that it's not profitable for them," said Daniel Delarosa
of Air Marbrisa Travel.  "We understand that the costs from Tampa to Cuba
is too expensive and they're not making the money they were making
expecting to make."

And that is even with 40,000 passengers flying last year and many of the
flights nearly full.

Beginning in February, flights from Tampa to Havana will be cut from four
to three times a week while the one flight to the major city on the
eastern side of the island, Holguin, will be cancelled.

"If they cancel the flight to Holguin, it's going to have a big impact
because there's a large population on the eastern side of Cuba," said
Delarosa.

With about 80 people a week flying to Holguin and since it acts as a hub
on the eastern side of the island, the cancellation leaves travelers with
fewer options.

A Tampa International Airport spokeswoman said, "given that this is the
first time in more than 50 years nonstop service has been available
between Cuba and Tampa, and gateways are opening across the country, it's
natural to see some adjustments as the market continues to evolve."

Flights to Havana will continue to operate on Wednesdays, Saturdays and
Sundays.

For those passengers traveling to Holguin, they will have to now fly out
of the closest airport, Miami International.

As always, contact your local travel agent or airline to find out the
status of your flight.


Original Source / Fuente Original:
http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2013/1/10/flying_to_cuba_optio