Regular flights to resume between United States and Cuba

The diplomatic advance would help open the way for US airlines to begin flying to Cuba within months in what would likely be the biggest step toward tighter economic ties since the two countries began normalizing relations a year ago.

Cuba and the United States reached an agreement Wednesday night that will allow USA commercial airlines to begin operating flights to the island for the first time in decades, according to US officials with knowledge of the discussion. Officials on both sides said they had reached an understanding on key points and hoped to reach a formal deal within hours or days.

The announcement comes as travel between the United States and Cuba surged by an estimated 50% this year. The online home-sharing service Airbnb has started operations in Cuba but hasn’t allowed non-Americans to book lodging, making it irrelevant for the majority of travelers who are coming from Europe and Canada.

He says the deal doesn’t foresee flights to the U.S.by Cuban’s national airline. Hotels and private hostals are booked for months.

The United States and Cuba could soon restore regular commercial airline flights, reported the Associated Press Thursday.

USA law continues to bar Americans from traveling to the island purely as tourists, but they can do so if they fall under 12 special categories, including humanitarian, religious and educational trips, and “people-to-people” trips that encourage communication between US and Cuban citizens.

Sprint and Verizon have signed roaming deals with Cuba’s state telecommunications company that benefit a small class of well-heeled American travelers. U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro ended last year more than 50 years of official hostility between the nations. He was freed in a prisoner exchange that sparked last year’s declaration of detente. He’s pointing to embassies reopened, freer travel and commerce, and more information flowing in and out of Cuba.