Order Results At The Specific Request Of The Department Of State

On August 13, 2020, DoT issued an Order that will suspend all charter flights between the United States and all airports in Cuba, except for authorized public charters to and from Havana and other authorized charter flights for emergency medical purposes, search and rescue, and other travel deemed to be in the interest of the United States. DOT is taking this action at the specific request of the U.S. Department of State. 

By a letter dated August 13, 2020, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo wrote to SecTrans Elaine Chao, stating that:

"To advance the Administration’s policy to strengthen the economic pressure on the Cuban regime as a means to  restrict the regime’s ability to repress its people and support the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela, and in the foreign-policy interests of the United States, I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation suspend until further notice all charter flights between the United States and all airports in Cuba over which the Department of Transportation exercises jurisdiction, except for authorized public charters to and from Havana, and other authorized charter flights for emergency medical purposes, search and rescue, and other travel deemed to be in the interest of the United States."

DoT will add a condition to all existing and future exemption authority granted to U.S. and foreign air carriers, and to all existing and future authorizations granted to foreign civil aircraft operators under 14 CFR Part 375, to the extent necessary to preclude the operation of charter flights between the United States and Cuba. This  suspension includes charter flights operated directly and indirectly by U.S. air carriers and foreign air carriers pursuant to exemptions granted under 49 U.S.C. § 40109, U.S. air taxi and commuter air carrier operations pursuant to exemptions granted under 14 CFR § 298.11, Canadian charter air taxi operations pursuant to exemptions granted under 14 CFR § 294.10, and all other charter or on demand air transportation operated under exemptions whether  ranted by regulation or by specific Department action.
 
For most charter carriers, the suspension will allow a 60-day wind-down period and will become effective on October 13, 2020.

FMI: https://beta.regulations.gov/document/DOT-OST-2020-0129-0001