US targets Cuba tourism with tighter airline sanctions

The US moved to further hurt Cuba's vital tourism industry by tightening the ability of the country's airlines to lease aircraft. The US Department of Commerce said it was revoking existing licenses for US companies leasing aircraft to Cuban carriers, and will deny future applications for aircraft leases. The move could make it harder for Cuba to service its rapidly growing tourism sector, a key source of foreign revenue for the poor country. Washington has stepped up pressure on Havana due to its support for the embattled regime of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. It was not immediately clear how many aircraft the move would impact. Cuba's cash-poor carriers depend on aircraft rented from leasing companies or other airlines, which are often very old. <br/>