Major American Airlines Clamor for Announced U.S.-Cuba Routes

With the announcement of restoring commercial air service, all four major American airlines announce their consideration of operating routes.

After months of speculation and rumors, the Department of Transportation announced a bi-lateral agreement to restore commercial air service to Cuba after decades of embargo. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the signing of the agreement by Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, alongside his Cuban counterparts at a ceremony in Havana. Under the agreement, Cuba will allow for 20 nonstop daily flights from the United States to Havana and 10 nonstop flights from the United States to each of the nine regional international airports on the island.

American Airlines, which currently operates charter flights to Havana, was quick to praise the announcement. The Dallas-based carrier says they will apply to operate from their hub at Miami International Airport (MIA) direct to Cuba.

“American Airlines commends the U.S. government for its commitment to re-establishing cultural and economic ties between the U.S. and Cuba,” CEO Doug Parker said in the release. “American looks forward to submitting a Cuba service proposal to the Department of Transportation in the coming weeks.”

Fellow legacy carrier Delta Air Lines called the agreement “historic” in their response. Highlighting a charter flight transporting the Minnesota Orchestra to Cuba last year, the carrier announced they also intended to seek regular service to Cuba.

“We look forward to providing access to the island from the U.S. and around the world,” Nicolas Ferri, Delta’s vice president for Latin America & the Caribbean, said in their release. “This market will increase the strength of our network in the Caribbean.”

Chicago-based carrier United Airlines released a muted statement, simply expressing their intention to apply to offer service from “some of [their] global gateways” to Cuba. Southwest Airlines did not overtly commit to the application process, but instead announced they would “engage in a process to consider that service.”

The announcement comes nearly one year after President Barack Obama announced the expansion of diplomatic relations with the embargoed nation. Although airlines will soon be able to resume flights to the island, flyers must still have their travel plans pre-authorized under one of 12 humanitarian categories.

[Photo: Getty]