Only Flights To Havana's Marti International Airport Will Be Allowed

The U.S. State Department has placed additional restrictions on flights to Cuba, banning all public charter flights between the United States and Cuban destinations other than Havana’s José Martí International Airport.

In a statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that nine Cuban airports currently receiving U.S. public charter flights will be affected. "Public charter flight operators will have a 60-day wind-down period to discontinue all affected flights. Also, at my request, DOT will impose an appropriate cap on the number of permitted public charter flights to José Martí International Airport. DOT will issue an order in the near future proposing procedures for implementing the cap," Pompeo said.

"(This) action will prevent the Cuban regime from benefiting from expanded charter service in the wake of the October 25, 2019, action suspending scheduled commercial air service to Cuba’s airports other than Havana. (It) will further restrict the Cuban regime’s ability to obtain revenue, which it uses to finance its ongoing repression of the Cuban people and its unconscionable support for dictator Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

"In suspending public charter flights to these nine Cuban airports, the United States further impedes the Cuban regime from gaining access to hard currency from U.S. travelers."

The ban goes into effect March 10.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.state.gov/united-states-further-restricts-air-travel-to-cuba