Airline JetBlue has launched an expanded charter service between the US and Cuba.

A second weekly round trip charter will join the existing service from New York to the Cuban capital Havana.

The new flights, which will operate on Tuesdays, will be JetBlue’s sixth weekly round trip charter route between the US and Cuba.

The flights are a further sign on the easing of relations between the Caribbean state and the US, which imposed a trade, travel and financial embargo 55 years ago after the Communist-style government of the Caribbean nation nationalised US-owned industries.

The moves towards detente have sparked fears that Bermuda and other tourist destinations could be hit as Cuba opens up for American business.

Bermuda has JetBlue services to and from New York and Boston.