U.S. Carriers Eager to Offer Flights to Cuba

American Airlines, Philadelphia's dominant carrier, along with JetBlue, United, Delta, and Southwest Airlines have all expressed interest since Obama announced in December that the U.S. would move to renew diplomatic relations and expand trade and tourism with Cuba.

"American continues to monitor changes to the Cuba travel policy," said spokeswoman Martha Pantin. "When legally allowed to do so, we will offer our customers scheduled service to Havana and other destinations."

American has operated charter flights to Cuba since 1991, with 20 weekly flights from Miami to Havana, Holguin, Santa Clara, and Cienfuegos, and from Tampa, Fla., to Havana and Holguin, Pantin said.

JetBlue, which operates charter flights to Cuba from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Tampa, is eager to offer commercial flights, said John Checketts, director of route planning.

"Cuba is such a great opportunity," Checketts said, "and JetBlue is such a successful carrier in the Caribbean that any of the large U.S. gateways into Cuba would be of interest to JetBlue."

The carrier operates four daily nonstop flights to Boston from Philadelphia. The New York-based airline is looking to add "a couple other" Philadelphia flights to "places like Florida and the Caribbean," he said.

Southwest said it is interested, too. Southwest has 50 international destinations that it's considering, spokesman Brad Hawkins said, and Cuba is one.

Before routes can be established, the U.S. Transportation Department must negotiate a civil aviation agreement with Cuba, clarifying the rules for air travel between the countries, such as how many flights will be permitted.

"We plan to serve Cuba, subject to government approvals," United spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said, "and look forward to doing so from our hubs in Newark, N.J., and Houston."

Delta Air Lines, which operated charter flights to Cuba in 2011 and 2012, also expressed interest in commercial flights to the island.

U.S. citizens, in certain permitted travel categories, have been able to book trips to Cuba on charter flights. American will have almost 1,200 charter flights to Cuba this year.

The charters will continue until new aviation rules take effect. About 124,000 Americans traveled to Cuba last year.

Under the relaxed travel restrictions, Americans will be able to visit without a special license from the Treasury Department. Travel will still be limited to one of a dozen categories, including family visits; humanitarian, educational, or religious activities; athletic performances; and journalism and academic work.

Travelers can use U.S. credit cards and bring back souvenirs.

The policy change stops short of a complete removal of the trade embargo, which would require congressional action.

Aviation consultant Michael Boyd in Evergreen, Colo., said that while "Cuba could be a huge leisure destination," there was a lack of infrastructure - hotel rooms, ground transportation, or "other systems" - that could accommodate massive increases in travelers.

"While there will be increases in visitations by Cuban Americans, any spike in traditional leisure or business travel is years away," Boyd said," and will be dependent on a number of fundamental policy changes on the part of the Cuban government."

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer