TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that Tampa International Airport has officially been awarded a flight to Havana, Cuba. The Southwest Airlines flight will be daily and nonstop.
The official announcement comes after months of airports around the country vying for the opportunity.
“This is awesome. We’re thrilled to partner with Southwest Airlines on this new scheduled flight to Havana,” TIA CEO Joe Lopano said in a press release. “We have the third largest Cuban-American population in the U.S., so we’re a natural market for this service. We’re also fortunate to have a community of leaders who continue to show support for this important connection.”
In July Tampa was one of 10 cities tentatively approved for flights to Havana.
“Tampa to Havana is here! Southwest Airlines is offering daily nonstop service to Cuba! Thanks to US Rep. Kathy Castor and all who made this possible,” the airport said in a Tweet at that time.