First direct commercial flight from U.S. arrives in Cuba

The first regular direct commercial flight form the United States arrives in the central Cuban city of Santa Clara on August 31, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

The first regular direct commercial flight form the United States has arrived in the central Cuban city of Santa Clara.

The landing of the JetBlue flight is being viewed as an important new step in thawing ties between the two countries.

U.S. Transport Secretary Anthony Foxx was on board the plane.

"Frankly when people get more exposure to the American public it really helps on a lot of levels. Folks want different things economically, they want different things politically, and we see it as a long-term advancement of our relationship, both governmentally as well as culturally."

A number of other U.S. carriers are also set to begin flights in the coming months to different Cuban cities.

The two sides signed an agreement in February, allowing up to 110 daily flights between several U.S. cities and 10 Cuban international airports, including the Cuban capital, Havana.

A total of 20 daily round-trip flights to Havana have been authorized, but are still awaiting final approval from U.S. Department of Transportation.

An average of 18 charter flights from the U.S. already arrive at Cuban airports daily.