Cuenca officials plan meetings with airlines; Correa receives honorary degree
Cuenca city officials will meet with representatives of three airlines next week in hopes of increasing service at Mariscal La Mar airport.
According to Mayor Marcelo Cabrera, meetings have been set with Latam Airline, which provides service to Quito, Colombian airline Avianca, and charter carrier Línea Aérea Cuencana (LAC).
Officials were angered last month when government-owned Tame Air discontinued its Cuenca to Guayaquil flights. Tame said it will resume the service in June following an examination of costs and procedures. City officials have also voiced their displeasure at the quality of Tame service, claiming its flights were often cancelled or delayed without explanation.
Cabrera also announced that the city has contracted with German airline Lufthansa to visit Cuenca May 19 and 20 to perform an evaluation of airport facilities and services.
Thousands gather in Parque Calderon to honor virgin
A crowd of 4,000 to 5,000 gathered in Parque Calderon Friday night to welcome the image of the Virgin of Cisne to Cuenca. The virgin will remain at the altar of Cuenca’s Immaculate Conception cathedral until Wednesday.
The virgin, who resides permanently near Loja and who is the subject of Ecuador largest annual religious pilgrimage, was escorted in five-block long procession from Iglesia San Roque to the cathedral, where she was regaled by dance and music before moving inside.
The virgin’s visit is part of the jubilee year celebration of the Archdiocese of Cuenca. During her visit, mass were held every two hours, ending at 8 p.m.
Correa receives honorary doctorate at University of Havana
Only days before he leaves office, President Rafael Correa was awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa in Economics degree from the University of Havana. The honor was presented by Cuban President Raul Castro.
Castro praised Correa for “exemplary accomplishments in improving conditions for the poor and under-represented.” He added that, under Correa’s leadership, Ecuador has become a world leader in improving infrastructure, reducing crime, and in human rights.
In his response, Correa said that “a decade of extraordinary achievements in economic, social and political matters in Ecuador could not have been achieved without the broad support of the people.”