U.S., Cuba To Restore Commercial Flights: Historic Agreement Reached

In what may be one of the most important trade agreements between the two nations in decades, U.S. and Cuba officials signed a pact on Tuesday to resume commercial airline flights by next autumn.

The non-legally binding arrangement emerged after months of negotiations between the two governments and may mark the first time that scheduled flights will take place between the United States and Cuba for over half a century, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The agreement provides each country with the opportunity to operate up to 20 daily roundtrip flights between the United States and Havana, U.S. officials stated.

The arrangement also provides each country with the opportunity to operate up to 10 daily roundtrip flights between the United States and each of Cuba’s nine other international airports, providing U.S. carriers with the opportunity to operate up to a total of 110 daily roundtrip flights between the United States and Cuba.

In addition, the arrangement does not limit charter services, meaning that no DOT allocation procedures are needed and charter flights can continue as before, U.S. authorities stated.

WHO CAN FLY TO CUBA?

US DOT officials stated that the new arrangement will facilitate visits for travelers that fall under one of 12 categories, including:

• Family visits
• Official business of the U.S. government
• Journalistic activity
• Professional research and professional meetings
• Educational activities
• Religious activities
• Public performances
• Clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
• “Support for the Cuban people” and humanitarian projects

WHAT AIRLINES WILL OFFER FLIGHTS?

The DOT announced that it has opened applications to U.S. airline carriers wishing to offer service to Cuba.

Possible departure points are still being considered, U.S. officials stated.

“In making its selection, the DOT will consider which proposals will offer and maintain the best service to the traveling and shipping public,” authorities stated. “The DOT recognizes the eagerness of U.S. carriers to take advantage of these new Cuba opportunities, and intends to reach a final decision as expeditiously as possible.”

Multiple airline carriers have already begun to line up in hopes of becoming one of the first to offer service to Cuba.

“United Airlines today applauded the historic signing by representatives of the United States and Cuba governments of a formal arrangement to reinstitute air service between the two countries,” company officials announced on Tuesday. “United intends to apply to offer service between some of its global gateways and Havana.”

Other airlines to express interest in applying to offer flights to Cuba include JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Airlines, ABC News stated.