First flight to Cuba from Orlando leaves after delays

Orlando International Airport's first flight to Cuba took off Wednesday afternoon. But it wasn't without some problems and delays for the passengers.

The first charter plane to fly to Havana Cuba from OIA sat at the gate for hours. The airport said the Gulf Stream Air Charter did not order fuel for this flight.

Crew members were able to locate and purchase fuel, but by then, the afternoon's severe thunderstorms moved in, causing a weather delay.

Once the lightning and strong winds died down, the plane carrying 70 passengers was escorted from the gate and made its way onto the runway for takeoff.

While this was the first charter plane to fly to Cuba from Orlando, it is not a regularly scheduled flight. The first commercial plane to begin twice-weekly flights will leave Orlando on July 8.