Hartsfield-Jackson becomes one of only a handful of U.S. gateways to Cuba. The previous ones are in Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK) and Miami (MIA).
"The president and his administration deserve many thanks for allowing more points of entry into Cuba," said Aviation General Manager Louis Miller. "As Hartsfield-Jackson is the largest hub in the United States, this new service will allow tens of thousands of Cuban Americans across the country to easily reunite with their friends and families, whom they may not have seen for many years."
More than 80 percent of the U.S. population is within a two-hour flight of Atlanta.
Although charter flights to and from Cuba now will be allowed, travel will be restricted to "purposeful" travel. Passengers must have close relatives in Cuba or must be involved in the medical or agricultural business sectors. Travel for education and religious activities is also permitted. Flights between Atlanta and Cuba are expected to be available by this summer or early fall.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Hartsfield-Jackson is the world's busiest airport, serving more than 89 million passengers annually with nonstop service to more than 150 U.S. destinations and more than 80 international destinations in more than 50 countries. The Airport is a frequent recipient of awards of excellence for concessions, operations, architectural engineering and construction -- including being named the World's Most Efficient Airport by the Air Transport Research Society (for more information, go to www.atrsworld.org). It is undergoing $6 billion-plus in capital improvements, which include a new, energy-efficient rental car center; a new, 12-gate international terminal; and aesthetic and functional upgrades to its concourses, people movers and parking services. For more information, go to www.atlanta-airport.com. Check out the Airport's YouTube channel by visiting www.youtube.com/AtlantaHartsfield, and become a fan on Facebook.
Contact: Al Snedeker (404) 665-7599
Source: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
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