Despite Promises to Lift the Private Flight Ban, Biden Admin Has Yet To Act

Caribbean Flying Adventures has announced the cancellation of their upcoming April fly-in to Cuba, due to uncertainty surrounding domestic aeronautical policy.

Recent years have seen the original embargo lifted, only to just as quickly reinstate a portion of the ban that has shut off the island nation from private flights and cruise ships from June of 2019 to today. Commercial, scheduled flight service to Cuba was allowed, which is an option Adventures has used on their previous Cuba tour and trek. 

In the lead-up to the election, the Biden administration expressed the intent to reverse the ban on private air travel between the 2 countries, but February has come with no indication the policy would be reversed. With the large number of moving parts and variables inherent to bringing dozens of tourists and their aircraft on a Cuban vacation, discretion has led to the decision to wait until the trip can be assured.

Those previously signed up for the journey will receive a full refund. 

Caribbean Flying Adventures has set the next escorted trip for November 9-12, which should allow for the Biden admin to re-open private flight access between the countries. Their expertise in organizing Cuban tours and a contract with the official government tour agency allows them to bring groups in by aircraft, exempt from the usual restriction of 7 people or less in a party.

Their tours are completed under the auspices of supporting the Cuban people, making efforts to buy, rent, and stay at privately owned but U.S.-approved locales within the country. Flying tours to the country are a rare occasion, with few operators experienced in navigating the peculiar and stubborn regime's demands for incoming tourist groups. 

"Private flights are expected to be reauthorized soon by the current Administration.  So yes - 100% legal," said Jim Parker, head of Caribbean Flying Adventures. His outfit has led nearly 500 planes to Cuba in the last 5 years alone, making him the go-to for navigating the novel experience of bouncing down to the close-by but long disallowed island nation.

His tours take clients off the well-worn, tourist-laden core of Havana, with a trip to the more authentic, lived-in Santiago de Cuba. Afterwards, an optional voyage to nearby Stella Maris, Bahamas will follow. 

FMI: www.CaribbeanFlyingAdventures.com