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US, Cuba close to resuming commercial flights
Wednesday, 17 Dec, 2015
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Officials from the US and Cuba have reached agreement over resuming scheduled flights between the two countries.
A consensus was reached on the eve of the first anniversary since the Obama administration officially restored diplomatic relations with Cuba, and since then authorized US travel to Cuba has grown by more than 50%.
Although a deal has effectively been reached, both parties were still working out technical details.
Officials have been in talks all week and ‘have made important advances in negotiating a memorandum of understanding on establishing regular flights between Cuba and the United States’ said Josefina Vidal, head of North American affairs for Cuba’s foreign ministry.
"Shortly they will be ready to announce a preliminary agreement on this issue," Vidal added.
American Airlines, Delta, United, JetBlue and Southwest are among the major airlines to have expressed interest in opening scheduled routes from the US to the island.
US officials have reportedly said up to a dozen flights a day will be permitted initially, although for the time being general tourism – which falls outside agreed reasons such as people-to-people educational tours, religious and family visits – is still off-limits.
The two countries recently agreed to resume direct mail deliveries and travelers can use some US issued debit cards in Cuba for the first time ever.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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