Panama. Airlines cut prices for Cuban migrants

May 18, 2016 - 12:03 PM

PANAMA CITY - Panama's government says airlines are cutting prices on tickets for Cuban migrants flying to the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez.

The president's office says airlines have offered tickets at $575, rather than the previous price of $805. Children under 11 can fly for free.

Since May 9, Copa Airlines and Mexico's Global Air have flown 2,448 Cuban migrants to Ciudad Juarez, where they cross to neighbouring El Paso, Texas.

About 1,300 remain. Some complained the cost was too high.

The Cubans were stranded after Nicaragua and Costa Rica closed their borders to Cuban migrants.

Cubans are admitted to the United States if they get to the border.

They have been arriving in greater numbers because they fear warming relations between the two countries end the exceptional policy.

News from © The Associated Press, 2016

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