The US DOT Wednesday approved American Airlines' request to resume service to some smaller Cuban airports after President Joe Biden reversed his predecessor's policy. American sought approval for flights from Miami to Santa Clara, Holguin, Matanzas/Varadero and Santiago de Cuba after the administration of then President Donald Trump barred passenger airline flights between smaller Cuban airports. The airline said in a filing the flights "will enhance service and access between the US and these non-Havana points, after more than two years during which such service was suspended." American added it will "fulfill the public interest by offering and maintaining the best connectivity to Cuba via its Miami hub and providing substantial competition to other US carriers serving Cuba." Last month, USDOT revoked a series of restrictions on flights to Cuba, including ending a prohibition on U.S. airline flights to Cuban airports other than Havana. The Trump administration had issued a series of aviation restrictions in 2019 and 2020 in a bid to increase U.S. economic pressure on the Cuban government. The USDOT order in June was issued at the request of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said the action was "in support of the Cuban people, and in the foreign policy interests of the United States." The White House in May had signaled the planned move as part of a broader revision of policy toward Cuba.<br/>
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Qantas has dropped its requirement that passengers on international flights should be vaccinated against COVID-19. The announcement was widely expected after the federal government formally dropped its rule earlier this month. “From Tuesday 19 July 2022, the Qantas Group will no longer require passengers on international flights operated by the Qantas Group to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” said the airline in a memo. Vaccination against COVID-19 may still be required by certain countries, so passengers should check the requirements of the country they are travelling to. Additionally, masks will continue to be required where government regulations stipulate they must be worn, including on board domestic flights in Australia.” The outgoing federal rule led to a diplomatic incident earlier this year when tennis player Novak Djokovic was allowed into the country to play in the Australian Open, before being effectively deported a week later. It comes after CE Alan Joyce criticised Australia’s decision to keep mask mandates on inbound international flights. Joyce said Australia was “a little behind the curve” on the restrictions, which bizarrely means those flying from Sydney to London don’t require face coverings, but those coming the other way do.<br/>
Australian travel agents have hit out at Qantas for slashing commissions on international flights, a move they claim is forcing them to charge passengers hundreds of dollars in service fees and could worsen the airline’s customer service issues. Qantas reduced commissions for travel agents on international flights from 5 to 1% on July 1, and since then, several airlines have followed suit. The move comes amid travel chaos at airports as staff shortages, wild weather and surging COVID-19 case numbers lead to flight delays, cancellations and lost baggage. Sydney-based tour operator Encounter Travel director Justine Waddington said travel agents were in disbelief over Qantas’ move to slash commissions and were still struggling to recover from a difficult 2.5 years. “As much as we act as service agents for our clients, we are agents for the airlines, and they’re not recognising our value and compensating us. It’s hard to reconcile,” Waddington told the Herald and The Age. “Qantas are sending a message to travel agents: ‘you’re not relevant’.” Travel agents generally receive commission on international flights but not domestic trips. Commission of 1% on a $2000 ticket would come to just $20, which Waddington said does not adequately cover an agency’s wages and business overheads. What agent works for free in any other industry?” <br/>