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Flights between both countries set to be restored

Cuba has been off-limit to the United States for over 50 years till reconciliation attempts began between both countries a few years ago.

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It's every travel lover's dream come true - all is well between the United States and Cuba, and based on this, the US is set to restore flights to Cuba again.

According to CNN, US carriers will have 15 days to submit applications to the Department of Transportation for routes they'd like to fly between the US and Cuba.

Reports also have it that Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and staff from the State Department will fly from Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington DC to Cuba to formally sign an agreement to resume flights between the two countries.

Speaking on the development,  Foxx reiterated how a commencement of commercial flights meant a great deal to the people of both countries, pointing out that "there's so many cultural connections between the two countries, in some cases family connections, the ability to have educational exchanges and things that happen as a result of resumption of this service, is really, really significant."

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Based on the agreement between both countries which was arrived at in December, there is potential for 110 daily round-trip flights in and out of Cuba.

This includes 20 daily flights to Havana and 10 daily flights to other airports on the island, while the airline bidding process will likely last until the middle of March.

Officials however point out that commencement of flights between both countries will likely resume in October, although there are no plans in the near future for Cuban-owned planes to land in the US under this agreement.

Thus, the new arrangement will facilitate visits for travelers that fall under one of 12 categories:

  • Visiting family
  • Humanitarian projects or to provide support to the Cuban people
  • Official business of the US government
  • Foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations
  • Journalistic activities
  • Professional research, educational activities by persons at academic institutions
  • People-to-people travel
  • Religious activities
  • Public performance
  • Clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions
  • Authorization to provide travel services, carrier services and remittance-forwarding services
  • Activities of private foundations, research or educational institutes
  • Exportation of certain Internet-based services.

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