US and Cuba to Resume Commercial Flights

US State Department announced that they are to resume commercial flights to Cuba after about 50 years air travel restrictions.

It has been a year since the United States and Cuba reached diplomatic relations. Both nations have made several mutual diplomatic accomplishments during the year long negotiations such as mail services, opening embassies in Washington and Havana, and convening to discuss various issues.

According to the State Department: 'This arrangement will continue to allow charter operations and establish scheduled air service, which will facilitate an increase in authorized travel, enhance traveler choices and promote people-to-people links between the two countries,'

This means that there is no need for passengers to divert their flights from US to Cuba to countries that did not ban Cuba. Before, travelers would be able to visit Cuba from countries that did not have flight constraints to fly there much like the US did. However, regulations are still being implemented with regards to traveling to the Caribbean island nation for tourism. For one, being a Cuban-American or having a relative in Cuba is required to be able to visit there. Still, some travelers were able to bypass such laws by taking trips with education in mind.

This prompts the Federal Aviation Administration to make certain that security and safety procedures are being strictly implemented.

It is estimated that travelers from the US would be able to avail of a regular flight 3 to 6 months from now.

The Caribbean island nation also expressed desire to have flights to the US from Cubana, its national airline. American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United and other US airlines responded positively and expressed that they are ready to accept flights from Cuba.

The American Society of Travel Agents or ASTA congratulates the US State Department for allowing Americans to travel to Cuba because they believe that passengers have the right to travel to any place they desire.