Alaska, American Airlines file applications to launch LAX-Cuba flights

Both American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have filed applications with the US DoT seeking approval to fly direct routes from Los Angeles International Airport to Havana, Cuba. American Airlines said it submitted an application to fly 10 daily flights from its Latin America gateway hub in Miami to Havana and one daily flight from Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and Charlotte, N.C. The carrier also wants to fly daily routes between Miami and five other Cuban cities: Santa Clara, Hoguin, Vardero, Camaguey and Cienfuegos. Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines said it is seeking to fly two daily nonstop flights from its Latin America gateway of Los Angeles to Havana, adding that the LA metro area has the largest Cuban-American population in the Western United States. The DOT is expected to award the available route authorities before the end of summer. <br/>