US/Cuba: Cold War barrier falls as US clears airlines for Havana

The US government proposed eight airlines to begin scheduled passenger service to Havana, as carriers hustle to open regular flights to the Cuban capital for the first time in half a century. Flights may begin as early as this fall, the DoT said Thursday. The airlines winning approval for Havana service were American, Delta, United, Southwest, Spirit, Alaska, Frontier and JetBlue. The proposed flights would begin normalising air links between the US and Cuba after the Cold War rivals’ decades-long estrangement. US airlines applied for almost 60 flights a day to Havana, triple the 20 daily frequencies authorized under the arrangement between the US and Cuba. “By restoring regular air service for the first time in more than 50 years, we have before us the chance to reunite Cuban-American families and foster educational, cultural and commercial opportunities and experiences for American citizens and businesses,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. US airlines had competed for authorisation since March, lining up scores of airport directors, travel agencies and chambers of commerce in support of their applications. Last month, the agency approved six US airlines to begin scheduled flights to nine Cuban cities other than Havana. Travellers flying to Cuba must be from one of 12 categories, including people visiting family, working journalists, people on official government business and others. Tourist travel is not yet approved. US cities set to receive flights to Havana include New York, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles, as well as Charlotte, North Carolina, and Newark, New Jersey. Four Florida cities will also get service: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.<br/>