Passenger flights may begin between Havana, Cuba and up to 10 U.S. airports, including four in Florida, as early as this fall. Pensacola area passengers will be able to easily fly to Havana with connecting flights from Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has tentatively awarded eight U.S. airlines — Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines — the right to establish scheduled passenger flights to Havana, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Thursday in the agency’s “Fast Lane” blog:
Today, DOT is taking another step toward delivering on President Obama’s promise to reengage with Cuba by restoring scheduled air service to the nation’s capital and largest city.
As part of the Obama Administration’s historic efforts to normalize relations with Cuba, DOT proposed to select eight U.S. 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 this fall.
Having regular air service for the first time in more than 50 years holds great potential – Cuban American families will be reunited and it will foster education and opportunities for American businesses of all sizes.