Many Carriers Making Applications To Begin Service To The Island Nation
U.S. airlines are rushing to make applications for permission to begin regularly-scheduled service into Cuba.
United Airlines submitted its formal application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for authority to provide service from four of its largest U.S. gateway cities – Newark/New York, Houston, Washington, D.C. and Chicago – to Havana's José Martí International Airport. If approved, United will be one of the first U.S. airlines to offer customers daily, nonstop scheduled service to Cuba.
"This is a historic moment for our company, our employees and, most importantly, our customers," said Oscar Munoz, United's president and chief executive officer. "We want to be the first choice for passengers traveling between the U.S. and Cuba. We're able to offer customers the best access, convenience and connections to and from Havana through our industry-leading global route network, and we're excited to compete for this important service."
United's proposal to DOT outlines its planned service to Havana from hubs serving four of the country's largest Cuban-American populations. The service would include a total of 11 roundtrip flights per week with daily service from Newark Liberty and one additional Saturday flight (eight weekly flights), along with a Saturday-only flight from Houston George Bush Intercontinental, Washington Dulles and Chicago O'Hare (three weekly flights). If United's application is approved, service to Havana on these routes will be operated with United Boeing 737-800 two-cabin aircraft.
Southwest Airlines requested governmental approval to serve Cuba with daily nonstop flights from the carrier's three busiest airports in Florida: Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL); Tampa Bay International Airport (TPA); and Orlando International Airport (MCO). The carrier applied to serve Havana (HAV) from all three Florida cities and additionally to serve Varadero (VRA) and Santa Clara (SNU) from Ft. Lauderdale (Miami Area). Upon approval, Southwest intends to initiate service to Cuba later this year.
"We're ready to add Cuba to our route map and offer this emerging market Southwest's low fares, bags fly free with no change fees, and our legendary customer service," said Gary Kelly, Chairman, President & CEO of Southwest Airlines. "We carry more Florida travelers and more U.S. passengers every day than any other airline, and the service we're proposing aims to bring maximum value to the greatest number of potential Customers for Cuba air service."
Delta seeks approval to serve Havana with daily flights from its hubs in Atlanta and New York's JFK International Airport as well as from Miami and Orlando.
"This is a historic moment for Delta as we seek to provide unparalleled access between the U.S. and Cuba," said Bob Cortelyou, Senior Vice President—Network & Schedule Planning. "Delta's proposed service to Havana from New York, Atlanta, Miami and Orlando will provide customers with convenient travel options to the Cuban capitol."
Delta would serve the flights from Atlanta and JFK with the Boeing 757-200, and Miami and Orlando with the Boeing 737-800.
Alaska Airlines proposed to fly two daily nonstop flights from its Latin America gateway of Los Angeles to Havana, Cuba. The Los Angeles metro area has the largest Cuban-American population in the Western United States.
"Together with our 14 global partner airlines, Alaska Airlines offers more than 110 nonstop destinations from Los Angeles. As the largest West Coast-based airline, we're well positioned to offer our customers convenient access to one of the Caribbean's most popular destinations," said John Kirby, Alaska Airlines vice president of capacity planning.
Citing Alaska's expansive West Coast route structure and low fares, Kirby said Alaska is excited for the opportunity to offer commercial service from the United States to Havana for the first time in over 50 years.
In its application, the airline said it is the best airline and natural choice to be awarded frequencies for United States-Cuba service based upon the Department’s public interest and public benefit standards. "The well-recognized and admired JetBlue brand along with its award-winning customer service will thrive in the Cuba market and undoubtedly will stimulate additional traffic between the United States and Cuba,” the airline said in a news release.
JetBlue proposed to fly 15 daily frequencies connecting 4 Cuban cities with 6 U.S. cities, including the airline’s focus cities in South Florida, New York and Boston.
(Source: Airline news releases)
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