Cuba and the United States sign Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of regular flights between both countries

CUBA, February 16, 2016.-  A Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of regular flights between Cuba and the United States was signed on the morning of Tuesday, February 16, at Hotel Nacional of Cuba.

On the Cuban side, the Memorandum was signed by Adel Yzquierdo Rodríguez, Minister of Transportation; and Alfredo Cordero Puig, President of the Cuban Civil Aviation Institute. On the US side the Memorandum was signed by Anthony Foxx, Secretary of Transportation; and Ambassador Charles Rivkin, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs.

After the signing of this bilateral instrument, there would be up to twenty regular daily flights between US airports and Havana’s “José Martí” international airport. Furthermore, up to ten daily flights will be operating to and from each of the other nine Cuban international airports. The competent authorities from both countries would be entitled to request an increase in the frequency of flights for every season, which would be considered in due time. The number of charter flights to and from the United States will remain unchanged.

After the entry into force of this Memorandum, the airlines from both countries, provided they have the appropriate authorization, would be entitled to engage in commercial collaborative arrangements, such as the booking of space and code-sharing, and sign contracts for the leasing of aircraft between them or with airlines from third countries.

The Memorandum reaffirms the commitment of both countries to safeguard international civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference and reiterates the willingness to act in accordance with the relevant international conventions Cuba and the United States are Parties to.

The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding marks the beginning of a new stage in the air transportation relations between Cuba and the United States, which will contribute to the advancement of relations between both countries. (CubamInrex)