Queuing for Cuba: 10 services between US and Havana gain tentative approval

Scheduled airline services from 10 US cities to Cuba have been granted tentative approval from the government to operate services to Cuba.
US transportation secretary Anthony Foxx proposed to select eight US airlines to begin scheduled flights between Atlanta, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York City, Orlando, and Tampa and Havana as early as the autumn.
The airlines receiving the tentative awards are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines.
“Today we take another important step toward delivering on President Obama’s promise to reengage Cuba,” said Foxx.
“Restoring regular air service holds tremendous potential to reunite Cuban American families and foster education and opportunities for American businesses of all sizes.”
In February, the US and Cuba signed an arrangement opening the way for scheduled air service between the two countries to resume after more than 50 years.
Under the arrangement, each country may operate up to 20 daily roundtrip flights between the US and Havana.
The arrangement also provides each country with the opportunity to operate up to 10 daily roundtrip flights between the US and each of Cuba’s nine international airports, other than Havana, for a total of 90 daily roundtrips.
Objections to the Department of Transport’s tentative decision are due by July 22. If objections are filed, answers to objections will be due by July 29.  The DOT expects to reach a final decision later this summer.
US forwarders have urged the government to consider freight operations when selecting licenses.