Government Approves Cuban Flights For 6 Airlines

The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ: AAL), Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ: JBLU), Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE: LUV) and Sun Country Airlines to offer flights to Cuba, according to a CNN Money report.

The report said flights could be available as early as fall 2016, with departures from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Philadelphia and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Thus far, flights have been approved to land in nine Cuban cities, including Camagüey, Holguín and Santiago de Cuba; however, flight applications to Havana remain awaiting approval.

Related Link: American Airlines Commends The U.S. Department Of Transportation For Award Of Authority To Operate Scheduled Flights To Cuba

CNN Money said the recent approval permitting air travel to Cuba is the first time in more than five decades commercial flights have been available between the two countries. However, the report noted that the airlines still need to receive Cuban government approval.

The two nations restored diplomatic relations last summer, making it exponentially easier for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba. In March, President Barack Obama made an historic visit, becoming the first U.S. president to visit since Calvin Coolidge's trip in 1928.