(VOVworld) – JetBlue Airways said it began direct charter flights between New York and Havana on Friday, the first major US carrier to fly the route following U.S. President Barack Obama's decision in December to normalize relations with Cuba.

An airport worker leads JetBlue planes onto the tarmac of the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York December 11, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

The airline said Cuba Travel Services is offering the weekly flight on Fridays between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Havana's Jose Marti International Airport. JetBlue now operates five weekly round trips to Cuba, including flights from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood with various charter partners, the company said in a statement.