The U.S. Department of Transportation proposed eight U.S. airlines to start flights to Havana, Cuba, from Atlanta, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York City, Orlando and Tampa.
A year after diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba were reestablished, air service to the latter could begin as early as this coming fall.
“Today we take another important step toward delivering on President Obama’s promise to reengage Cuba,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Restoring regular air service holds tremendous potential to reunite Cuban-American families and foster education and opportunities for American businesses of all sizes.”
The proposed airlines are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines. A dozen airlines applied for almost 60 flights, which exceeds the 20 daily round-trip flights made available through the two governments’ arrangement.
The DOT selected carriers that can offer a range of travel choices like the type of airlines, choices of airport and choices of non-stop or connecting service. Through the arrangement, travelers that fall under one of 12 categories authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control will be able to visit Cuba.
