U.S. and Cuba Reach Agreement on Commercial Flights

The United States broke diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961, two years after Fidel Castro ousted U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in a revolution that steered the island on a leftist course and made it a close ally of the Soviet Union.

The move allows USA airlines to sell tickets to Cuba on their websites.

The return of commercial flights could see numbers of USA tourists to Cuba increase by thousands a day, putting strain on the island’s tourist infrastructure – hotels and hostels in the country are already booked months ahead.

“In general, this represents another opportunity for New Orleans to reconnect with its historical ties in central South America and the Caribbean”, said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc. He became the first US secretary of state to visit the island in 70 years. The deal was reached Wednesday night after three days of talks in Washington.

It is unclear when the flights would start because negotiations between the Cuban government and the USA airlines could take months. “Our years of experience in Cuba and unmatched customer experience positions JetBlue as the carrier of choice for travel to Cuba”.

Now, in the latest step toward stronger economic ties, officials say the two countries have finalized a deal on regular commercial flights.

Airlines will be able to operate a total of 110 round-trip scheduled flights a day between the U.S. and Cuba, which was more than originally thought.

No direct service between New England airports and Cuba is now available. “We look forward to offering service between our global gateways and Cuba as soon as we have approval to do so”.

The countries actually did so in July and have opened embassies in each other’s capitals.

In the year since detente, more Americans are visiting Cuba, and more Cubans are trying to reach America, concerned that preferential treatment for Cubans migrants may end.

USA travelers still must meet at least one of 12 criteria to visit, such as being Cuban-American or taking part in educational tours or journalistic activity.

Despite the relief in tensions, the United States continues to maintain a trade embargo on Cuba mandated by the US Congress.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines all applauded the agreement and said they will work with the U.S. Department of Transportation to secure rights to fly to Cuba. “I haven’t seen products in the stores”, said Paloma Suarez, a 50-year-old office worker in a state-run company in Old Havana.