WestJet giving Canadians what they want with launch of new Havana flights

Havana tourism officials have rolled out the red carpet for WestJet and its first passengers able to fly  directly to the Cuban capital.

The airline began Toronto-Havana service Thursday (Dec. 18) — a welcome development for Cuban tourism authorities who have long been encouraging Canadians to visit a city known for its colonial architecture and lively cultural scene.

A Cuban delegation shook hands with deplaning passengers upon arrival in Havana and those same passengers were greeted with free food and drinks, and musicians in the airport terminal, which was draped with Cuban and Canadian flags.

WestJet now has twice-weekly Havana service and says its Havana clients are a blend of tourists, business travellers  and others.

Earlier, Gihana Galindo, who oversees the Cuba Tourist Board’s Toronto office, told those preparing to board the WestJet flight in Toronto that Havana “is very special.”

Cuba,’s famed beaches have been the cornerstone of its tourist trade but tourism authorities have long insisted that the Caribbean’s largest island is more than a beach destination, citing the likes of Old Havana, which has UNESCO World Heritage Site status because of it’s long-standing structures.

Havana is also the centre of Cuban culture, which has given the world the likes of salsa.

Galindo — sporting a shirt that said I Love Cuba — said the direct air service provides a “good opportunity” for Canadians intrigued by Cuban culture and history to visit.

Kiran Ramlakhan, WestJet’s senior manager of guest experiences, in turn said “there’s great demand” in this country for Havana. “There’s a lot of buzz around (a Canadian airline) returning.”

WestJet’s first Havana flight was virtually full, with the only empty seats having been booked by Westerners who weren’t able to make it to Toronto because of bad weather in the West.

Also on hand for a pre-departure ceremony in Toronto was Nancy Meneses of Muthu Hotels, which has a large Cuba presence. That presence includes a Havana hotel and Muthu is preparing to open a second Havana hotel in January.

“It’s not just sun and beach,” Meneses said of Cuba, citing the likes of history, culture and even its distinctive rum-based drinks.

Meneses praised the WestJet service for making Havana easily accessible for Canadians.

“Now we just spend (a little over) 3 hours on a flight and we’re in Havana,” she noted.

Among those offering Havana are WestJet Vacations, Hola Sun and The Special Travel.
In the Photos

TOP

Seen here, from l to r, are Victor Manuel Garcia, Consul General of Cuba in Toronto, Gihana Galindo, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board and Kim Boyce, Director WestJet YYZ

MIDDLE

Among those on hand at Toronto’s Pearson Airport for a ceremony marking WestJet’s Havana service were Suzy Do Couto of Sunwing Vacations, Gihana Galindo of the Cuba Tourist Board, Cuban consul general in Toronto Victor Garcia and Kiran Ramlakhan of WestJet.