Says Approval Would 'Enable Cultural Access To Cuba From Across The U.S.'

United Airlines has submitted its final procedural filing to the U.S. DOT for authority to begin commercial air service to Cuba from its global gateways in Newark/New York, Houston, Washington and Chicago to Havana's José Martí International Airport in Cuba.

Last week's U.S. government authorization of people-to-people travel to Cuba underscores the benefit of choice and access that United's proposal for nonstop service to Havana would bring to four of the largest metropolitan areas and Cuban-American populations in the nation.

Steve Morrissey, United's vice president of regulatory and policy affairs, currently in Cuba as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's trade delegation, said, "With people-to-people travel to Cuba now authorized, it's even more important to ensure individuals across the country – not only South Florida – have access to convenient air service to this beautiful and culturally rich country."

United's application has received more than 17,000 letters of support from its employees and customers, along with business and cultural leaders and elected officials at all levels of government.

An outpouring of support from cultural institutions in New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, D.C. and Illinois sent to U.S. DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx underscores the demand for U.S.-Cuba cultural exchange opportunities from four regions across the country, especially from the metropolitan areas United has applied to serve.

United has proposed daily non-stop service to Cuba from Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR). It would also offer flights one a week from Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (KORD) and  Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH)

(Source: United news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.united.com