There is now direct air link between South Florida and the Haitian city of Cap-Haïtien, thanks in part to two area county commissioners. Tortug’Air, based in Port-au-Prince, had its inaugural flight June 5 from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Tortug’Air officials contacted Miami-Dade Commissioner Jean Monestime on their venture and he introduced them to Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, who helped them obtain counter space locally. Photo above shows, from left, Monestime, Holness and Tortug’Air president/CEO Oliver Jean in conversation prior to the inaugural flight. Photo at right shows Holness’ chief of staff John Beckford and director of community affairs Lahoma Scarlett boarding the Embraer ERJ aircraft.