Intra-Caribbean air service received a significant boost this week with the announcement of new direct airline service between Cancun, Mexico and San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard Mexican carrier Volaris.

The new flight will travel between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Havana Jose Marti International Airport each Friday at noon, with a return flight from Havana to JFK every Friday at 4:30 p.m. This makes JetBlue the first carrier to announce additional flights to Cuba from New York since restrictions were lifted.

Alaska Airlines will chart new territory this fall when it adds new service between Los Angeles and Costa Rica's two major international airports, further strengthening its southern California focus city.

New service includes Barbados to St. Kitts, three times a week; Barbados to St. Maarten four times a week; Barbados to Trinidad, four times a week; daily service from Antigua to Barbados with a stop in Dominica; and a daily flight from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, to San Juan.

The 10-year dream of nonstop travel from Southwest Florida International Airport to the Caribbean came true Sunday with Sun Country Airlines Flight 381 to San Juan, Puerto Rico.