First Nonstop Cuba-Brazil Flight to Start in June

Cubana de Aviación will offer the first direct flight between Cuba and Brazil on June 10. Brazilian Tourism Minister Gastão Vieira made the announcement during the international tourism fair (FITCuba 2013) in Varadero. The weekly flights will connect Havana and São Paulo.

Demand for travel between the countries is expected to rise, with the 2014 soccer World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games coming up in the South American country.

Also, Brazil is in negotiations to contract thousands of Cuban doctors, Brazilian business travel to Cuba is rising, and Cuba is trying to lure more Brazilian tourists. Up to now, passengers flying between the two countries had to connect in Panama City or Bogotá.