Two Brazilian airlines, Gol and White Jet, announced first-time ever flights to Cuba, AIN reported, portending a rise in tourism from South America.The Brazilian engagement comes after announcements last week about Cuba flights by Mexicana airlines and Panama-based Copa. Tourist arrivals from Brazil and Argentina have been rising at two-digit rates during the first half of this year.

Beginning this month, White Jet offers weekly flights from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to Varadero. Gol will fly weekly from Buenos Aires to the airport in central Santa Clara, which serves the nearby keys of Santa María and Ensenachos, two fairly recent beach destinations on the island.White Jet plans to offer the Brazil flights only during summer, but said it could extend the flights beyond August, if there is enough demand. Gol committed to operate the Buenos Aires-Santa Flag carrier Cubana de Aviación recently added a second weekly flight both to Brazil and Argentina and is planning a direct flight from Argentina to Holguín beginning in November, according to AIN.Meanwhile, Chilean charter operator PAN is pondering whether to offer flights to Cuba again, as it did last year.