The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued the order at the request of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said the move was “in favor of the Cuban people and in the foreign policy interests of the United States.”
The White House last month signaled the move was planned as part of a broader revision of policy towards Cuba. Flight restrictions have been lifted effective immediately.
The Trump administration enacted a series of aviation restrictions in 2019 and 2020 aimed at increasing US economic pressure on the Cuban government. read more
They include banning US airlines from flying to eight international airports in Cuba outside Havana, including those at Camaguey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Manzanillo, Matanzas and Santiago de Cuba.
Under President Donald Trump, USDOT imposed a cap on charter flights to Cuba at 3,600 per year and subsequently suspended private charter flights to Cuba. The ministry also banned flights to any Cuban airport, with the exception of Havana.
Later, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Cuba “uses travel and tourism funds to fund abuses and interventions in Venezuela. Dictators cannot be allowed to profit from American travel.” .”
USDOT under Trump has authorized authorized public flights to and from Havana and other authorized charter flights “for emergency medical purposes, search and rescue, and international travel.” other calendars deemed to be in the interest of the United States.”
With US airlines facing full flights and some facing staff shortages, it’s unclear how many new flights to Cuba could be added.
As a result of the order, USDOT rejected the application for an emergency waiver and allocated public charter flights in Havana.
