Puerto Rico to welcome direct flights from Madrid

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Puerto Rico's governor says direct flights between San Juan and Madrid will resume for the first time in recent years, helping boost the island's tourism industry.

Alejandro Garcia Padilla said Tuesday that Spanish company Air Europa will offer two weekly flights starting in May 2014. The Airbus A-330 that will be used has a capacity of 299 passengers.

Garcia says the flights should attract at least 15,000 European tourists to the U.S. territory, creating more than 450 jobs.