After setting off from Miami with a water cannon salute, an American Airlines flight touched down at Jose Marti international airport at 8:45 am (1345 UTC).  It was the first time in more than 50 years a US airline provided regular commercial service to Havana. "It's something historic. We were expecting this for a long time here," said American passenger Edgar Salveani on arrival. The first JetBlue Airways flight from New York to Havana arrived shortly after.

Commercial flights between Cuba and the US had already resumed in August under the historic rapprochement the old Cold War foes announced in December 2014. But these are the first to Havana.

There are now 110 scheduled daily flights from the United States to Cuba, 20 of them to Havana. The direct flights were one of several watershed changes initiated after US President Barack Obama and Castro's successor, his younger brother Raul, announced a thaw following more than 50 years of hostility. Diplomatic relations were restored in July 2015. Washington still bans Americans from visiting Cuba as tourists, but travel is permitted for 12 other categories, including cultural and educational exchange.

ks/ec (afp)