LOS ANGELES (CNS) – American Airlines announced Tuesday, Aug. 18, it will offer charter flights between Los Angeles International Airport and Havana, Cuba, beginning later this year.

The flight “shows how we continue to expand our reach by offering new routes and services our customers want,” said Art Torno, senior vice president of American Airlines. “We stand ready to offer scheduled service as soon as the United States and Cuba allow commercial flights.”

The charter flights will be sold by Cuba Travel Services and operate on Saturdays beginning Dec. 12 with a Boeing 737. The airline also plans to offer a Saturday flight between Miami and Havana.

American has offered charter flights to Cuba since 1991. The airline expects to operate about 1,200 charter flights to Cuba this year.

Information on the LAX-Cuba flight is available at www.CubaTravelServices.com. Information about travel restrictions to Cuba is available on the airline’s website at www.aa.com/visitcuba.