Commercial flights between United States and Cuba set to resume

Feb 19, 2016, 14:58
Commercial flights between United States and Cuba set to resume

Commercial flights between the United States and Cuba are set to resume for the first time in 50 years following the signing of an agreement between the two countries.

The deal does not include flights from Cuba to the United States, where millions of dollars in legal claims against the Cuban government are pending that could result in seizures of planes owned by Cuba's national airlines.

This agreement will mean the potential for 110 daily round-trip flights in and out of Cuba.

Several airlines that offer flights in Central Florida have expressed broad interest in nabbing one of 20 spots for commercial air service between the United States and Havana, Cuba.

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The airline deal comes a day after the USA approved the construction of the first American factory on the island since the restoration of diplomatic relations, a farm tractor assembly operation that plans to hire Cuban workers.

The US and Cuba "will conduct this proceeding in a manner created to maximise public benefits", said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Fox. Airlines will have 15 days to submit proposals to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

"The adoption of this memorandum is an important step that will soon permit the establishment of regular flights between the United States and Cuba", said Mr. Yzquierdo Rodríguez.

US and Cuba will sign an agreement that opens the skies for direct travel between the two countries. Applications are due March 2. The US- Cuba commercial air flights deal follows after Pres. Barack Obama and Raul Castro agreed to end the 50- year-cold war between the nations.

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If you've been wanting to go to Cuba, getting there just got a lot easier. So companies such ABC Charters, Havana Air and Cuba Travel Services, which serve as brokers between buyers and the airlines that fly to the island nation, can continue flying without going through the new DOT application process.

Tourist travel is still barred under the trade embargo the USA hit Cuba with in 1960, but President Obama's administration is authorizing 12 categories as reasons to travel there, including family visits, business travel and support for Cuban people. "They have already had numerous trips and conversations to grease the skids for when this becomes a possibility", said Brandon Belford, the deputy USA assistant secretary for aviation and global affairs.

The arrangement does not change charter services, which can still operate.

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