The Transportation Department has reauthorized commercial and charter flights to nine Cuban airports outside Havana. The June 1 order is effective immediately.
The order restores Obama administration-era policies for flying between the U.S. and Cuba that were rolled back in late 2019 and early 2020 by the Trump administration. It also follows the May 16 announcement by the Biden administration that it would expand authorized travel to Cuba, including allowing more flying and reinstating group people-to-people travel.
The nine Cuban destinations, other than Havana, that airlines and charter operators can once again serve include Camaguey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo del Sur, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Matanzas/Veradero, Santa Clara and Santiago.
Among commercial carriers, only American and JetBlue were serving any of those airports prior to the Trump administration ban. American was flying from Miami to Camaguey, Holguin, Santiago, Santa Clara and Veradero, while JetBlue offered service from Fort Lauderdale to Camaguey, Holguin and Santa Clara.
Neither airline is ready to announce service resumptions.
"We are evaluating all recent developments and do not have any additional details to share at this time,” American said in a statement.
JetBlue said it remains committed to serving Cuba, but has no changes to announce to its Cuba operations. "We regularly evaluate new opportunities throughout our network," the carrier said.