Havana, October 15 (RHC-PL) -- The opening of new air routes by the Swiss airline Edelweiss aims to promote leisure travel from that European country towards Cuba, says an official report.

A note from the Cuban Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) stated Tuesday that the Edelweiss airline, leader in tourist travel in that nation, will include a direct flight to Havana, with two weekly frequencies.

Edelweiss, associated with Swiss International Airlines (SWISS), is preparing a series of changes in its travel itinerary and infrastructure, the text says. The new flights will be scheduled on Thursdays and Sundays.

The increased flights will allow for the arrival of visitors from Switzerland and Europe to Havana, a heritage city of great cultural and historic appeal that serves as a welcoming point to the island, the MINTUR official statement says.