The U.S. government proposed
eight airlines to begin scheduled passenger service to Havana, as carriers
hustle to open regular flights to the Cuban capital for the first time in half
a century, according to Bloomberg.
Flights may begin as early
as this fall, the Department of Transportation said in a statement Thursday.
The airlines winning approval for Havana service were American, Delta, United,
Southwest, Spirit, Alaska, Frontier and JetBlue.
The proposed flights would
begin normalizing air links between the U.S. and Cuba after the Cold War
rivals’ decades-long estrangement. U.S. airlines applied for almost 60 flights
a day to Havana, triple the 20 daily frequencies authorized under the
arrangement between the U.S. and Cuba.
“By restoring regular air
service for the first time in more than 50 years, we have before us the chance
to reunite Cuban-American families and foster educational, cultural and
commercial opportunities and experiences for American citizens and businesses,”
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said at a press conference.
U.S. airlines had competed
for authorization since March, lining up scores of airport directors, travel
agencies and chambers of commerce in support of their applications.
Last month, the agency
approved six U.S. airlines to begin scheduled flights to nine Cuban cities
other than Havana. Travelers flying to Cuba must be from one of 12 categories,
including people visiting family, working journalists, people on official
government business and others. Tourist travel is not yet approved.
U.S. cities set to receive
flights to Havana include New York, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles, as well
as Charlotte, North Carolina, and Newark, New Jersey. Four Florida cities will
also get service: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.
The public has 30 days to
comment on the DOT’s proposal. Foxx said the agency hopes to finalize its
decision before the end of the summer.
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