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U.S. Airlines to Start Flying to Nine Cuban Cities But Not Havana

@AmericanAir
American Airlines saluted the announcement of new routes to Cuba with a picture on Twitter

Six U.S. airlines received Friday the green light from the Department of Commerce to start flying this fall to nine Cuban cities, but not Havana. 

The return of scheduled flights between the two countries is a step in the ongoing thawing of relations between Havana and Washington. The U.S. providers still have to seek approval Cuban permission for the slots. 

The airlines - American, Frontier, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest and Sun Country - were approved by the Department of Transportation for a total of 155 round trip flights per week starting later this year. Flights will be departing from Miami and Fort Lauderdale Airports, as well as from Chicago, Philadelphia and Minneapolis/St. Paul. 

"It's really great news," American Airlines spokesperson Alexis Aran Coello told WLRN Friday. "It's something we've been anticipating for years. The fact that we're going to be able to fly regular service is just amazing."

For more than five decades, only charter flights were allowed between the two nations. With the agreement signed in February, 110 more additional daily flights will be allowed. 

The approved flights do not include travel to Havana. Instead, they'll be directed to nine other cities, with up to 10 flights per city per day.

Fort Lauderdale-based Silver Airlines is gearing up to start bookings as early as June 11 for flights starting October 20.

"Today, what the DOT announced was the service to the non-Havana markets and Silver is the only airline to serve nine of those markets," said Silver Airlines Chief Financial Officer Jason Bewley. "There's a lot to do in Cuba, a lot to do, a lot to experience beyond just Havana. So those cities give all the travelers an opportunity to go and really take in Cuban culture."

A majority of the airline service is set to start this fall. But Bewley hopes to lift off even sooner, provided the carrier can get final approval from the Cuban government. 

U.S. law prohibits tourist travel to the island, but other categories of travel are permitted including family visits, professional meetings and educational and religious activities. 

"It's very important for travelers to understand there are still travel restrictions when it comes to flying to Cuba," Coello said. "You can't just wake up one day and say 'oh, I want to go to Cuba today' and head to the airport. It's not that simple."

Prices for the charter flights about approximately $500. The commercial flights will be significantly less. In a phone interview, Bewley said Silver's round trip tickets may cost around $300.

Flights will depart from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Chicago, Philadelphia and Minneapolis. The destinations in Cuba are Camagüey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo del Sur, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba and Matanzas.

American Airlines said customers should expect competitive pricing. 

NPR and AP contributed to this report. 

Katie Lepri Cohen is WLRN's engagement editor. Her work involves distributing and amplifying WLRN's journalism on social media, managing WLRN's social accounts, writing and editing newsletters, and leading audience-listening efforts. Reach out via email at klcohen@wlrnnews.org.
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