NEWARK — The first direct passenger flight from New Jersey to Havana, Cuba, is set to make its inaugural departure from Newark Liberty International Airport.

The roughly 3 ½-hour United Airlines flight is scheduled to depart Newark at 10:18 a.m. and arrive on the Caribbean island at 1:53 p.m.

United is offering one flight from Newark to Havana each day as well as a Saturday-only direct service to Cuba from Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Commercial flights between the United States and Cuba resumed several months ago as relations between the two countries gradually improved under President Barack Obama.

Tourist travel to the island remains prohibited. The 12 approved categories for travel to Cuba include family visits/people-to-people cultural exchanges, professional meetings, and educational or religious activities, among others.

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