US finalizes flights to Cuba’s capital

Twenty daily nonstop flights between the U.S. and Havana were officially confirmed on Wednesday, the same day that the first commercial flight to another Cuban city resumed for the first time in 50 years.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx made the milestone announcement from Cuba after he boarded a 150-passenger JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Santa Clara.

Resuming air travel between the two countries has been a key step in President Obama’s push to normalize relations with the island.

{mosads}“Today’s actions are the result of months of work by airlines, cities, the U.S. government, and many others toward delivering on President Obama’s promise to reengage with Cuba,” Foxx said. “Transportation has a unique role in this historic initiative and we look forward to the benefits these new services will provide to those eligible for Cuba travel.”

Eight commercial airlines in the U.S. received final approval to fly to Havana, Cuba’s capital and most popular tourist destination.

The airlines that have been selected for a flight route to Havana are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines.

The flights will take off from Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; Newark, N.J.; New York City; Orlando, Fla.; and Tampa, Fla.

The Transportation Department already awarded flights to other Cuban cities, announcing approval in June for six U.S. airlines to fly from five U.S. destinations to nine Cuban cities.

Major airlines had been competing for a limited number of flights to Cuba. United Airlines also pushed for a direct route to Havana from Washington, D.C. — which would have connected lawmakers and diplomats in the two capitals — but did not succeed.

The DOT said it allocated Havana service to cities that have substantial Cuban-American populations and important aviation hubs.

Tourists are still not eligible to fly to Cuba, but the new routes will open up travel for family visits, official U.S. government business, foreign governments, journalistic activity, professional research, educational activities, religious activities, public performances, humanitarian projects and certain authorized export transactions.

“I think many Americans will be surprised to learn that even with the restoration of scheduled flights, U.S. law still prevents Americans from traveling to Cuba for tourist purposes,” said James Williams, president of Engage Cuba. “This is inconsistent with our values as a free society and has stifled economic growth in Cuba.”