JFK Selected For Scheduled Flights to Cuba

By Sarah Kaufman (Patch Staff)

The U.S. government tentatively decided Thursday to offer round-trip commercial flights from Havana to JFK and Newark, along with eight other cities in the U.S.

Eight U.S. airlines will be set to offer 20 round-trip flights daily to and from Havana if the proposal is accepted later this summer.

"Today we take another important step toward delivering on President Obama’s promise to reengage Cuba," said 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 agreement would mark the first time in 50 years there will be scheduled commercial flights from the U.S. to Cuba. The arrangement holds the potential to add up to 10 daily round-trip flights between the U.S. and Cuba's nine international airports.

The proposal includes airports in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Orlando and Tampa. The airlines in the agreement are Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United.

Delta and JetBlue will each be providing once daily service to Havana from JFK, while United will provide service once daily from Newark.

The Department of Transportation said it will reach a final decision later this summer on the tentative agreement to leave time for members of the public to voice questions and concerns.

Charter service, which can already operate unrestricted between Havana and the United States, will not be affected. Airlines will still record for the next five years the reason for someone's travel from the U.S. to Cuba. Passengers can now choose from 12 reasons for travel.

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