US, Cuba sign arrangement restoring scheduled air service

US Department of Transportation (DoT) announced (16-Feb-2016) the US and Cuban governments signed an arrangement that re-establishes scheduled services between the two countries. DoT now invites US carriers to apply for an allocation of scheduled passenger and cargo flights, with applications due 02-Mar-2016. The new arrangement provides US carriers with the opportunity to operate up to a total of 110 daily roundtrip services, while charter operations remain unrestricted. DoT noted it "recognises the eagerness of US carriers to take advantage of these new Cuba opportunities, and intends to reach a final decision as expeditiously as possible." [more - original PR]