US Lifts Restrictions On Cuba Flights

The U.S. Transportation Department on Wednesday made it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba, lifting flight restrictions that were established during the Trump administration.

The restrictions had prevented U.S. airline flights and chartered flights from going to Cuban cities other than Havana. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a letter to the Transportation Department on Tuesday asking it to revoke the restrictions, and the agency followed through Wednesday.

Blinken said opening up flights to Cuba was “in support of the Cuban people and in the foreign policy interests of the United States.” He said that once the Transportation Department followed through on his request, “scheduled and charter air services between the United States and Cuban airports may resume effective immediately.”

The Biden administration announced last month that it would expand flights to Cuba, take steps to loosen restrictions on U.S. travelers to the island, and lift restrictions on money that immigrants can send to people on the island.

The administration said it would also move to reinstate the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, which has a backlog of more than 20,000 applications, and increase consular services and visa processing.

“With these actions, we aim to support Cubans’ aspirations for freedom and for greater economic opportunities so that they can lead successful lives at home,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said last month.

Travelore News: First American Travel Agency Offers Booked Flights From US to Cuba

Only 90 miles off the coast of Florida yet seemingly out of reach for most Americans, Cuba just got a whole lot closer.

CheapAir.com, an online travel agency, will begin offering fully-booked flights for personal travel to Cuba today. They are claiming to be the first US-based travel agency to offer flights from America to Cuba, via a third country.

Tourism to Cuba remains banned, but travelers who fit into one of 12 categories can visit the country, without a case-by-case approval by the government, as was previously required. Since December, when President Obama announced the new regulations, Cuba tour groups and websites have reported seeing a huge uptick in web traffic and requests related to Cuba.

Contributed by Alexandra Talty, www.forbes.com

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport

Travel To Cuba Rules & Information Released

Earlier this month, the Obama Administration announced plans to ease restrictions on a 50 year-old embargo with Cuba. The following are background materials and links to information to help you better understand these recent developments and the potential impact to your company.

On January 15, 2015 the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and U.S Department of Treasury released Fact Sheets and FAQs on the new rules for companies and travelers seeking to travel to Cuba:

U.S. Departments Of Commerce and Treasury Fact Sheet
U.S Department Of The Treasury Frequently Asked Questions

Department of Commerce Secretary Pritzker released the following statement: “The regulations published today are an important first step toward increased engagement that will expand our economic relationship and strengthen our people to people connections with Cuba,” said Secretary Pritzker. “Today’s actions, which are being taken in coordination with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, give legal effect to the historic policy changes that President Obama announced on December 17. Specifically, our regulations will change export policy and authorize the flow of certain goods and services to Cuba without a license, to spur private sector activity and encourage entrepreneurship in Cuba. These are smart changes in America’s outdated policy that will help the Cuban people realize an improved standard of living, greater economic independence, and increased prosperity.”

Moving swiftly, US eases travel and trade rules on Cuba WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration, following through on its declaration of warming ties with Cuba, has eased travel restrictions and opened a wide range of new export opportunities with the communist island.

Impact on Business and Leisure Travel: Most U.S. travelers still will be required to go on supervised group trips, but now virtually any U.S. company or organization can offer such trips without the paperwork and inspections that discouraged past expansion of travel to Cuba. Some tour operators, already seeing unprecedented interest in legal travel to Cuba, expect some tourists to simply ignore the restrictions. American companies also now will be permitted to export telephones, computers and Internet technology, and to send supplies to private Cuban firms. However, Cuban authorities have said nothing about the restrictions they might impose on U.S. products entering a country that has long frustrated foreign investors with bureaucratic obstacles and tapped-out infrastructure.

Airlines Interested: Commercial flights between the two nations are still some time away. Before airlines offer routine service from one country to another, the two governments must agree on the terms in a treaty. United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways have all expressed an interest in flying to the island nation.

GBTA will continue to monitor and advise the membership on this issue. Don’t hesitate to contact GBTA with any questions or thoughts.

*This post was originally sent as an email to GBTA membership.*

Contributed by Mike McCormick, Executive Director, GBTA