United Airlines rushing to get into Cuba after 50-year hiatus

Definitely count United Airlines in. Just hours after the US and Cuba formally signed an agreement today that would clear the way for the first commercial flights between the US and Cuba in more than 50 years, United Airlines said it will move swiftly to obtain rights to operate flights between the two countries. A United spokesman said Tuesday the airline has 15 days to submit its request to launch Cuba service to the DOT. United plans to submit a request to begin service from multiple airports, a United spokesman said. United also said it expects the DOT to move quickly to divvy up Cuba service among interested airlines — possibly within a matter of a few weeks. Last year, when the US first talked of resuming commercial air service to Cuba, United hinted that its huge hub in Houston might be a likely outpost for the first flights to Cuba. <br/>