U.S.-based travel agencies that use the Travelport GDS can
now sell and book flights to and from Cuba for authorized travelers.
Travelport announced the new technology on Monday, following
by nearly half a year the more liberal rules issued by the Obama administration
on travel to Cuba.
Agencies that wish to search and sell Cuba flights through
the Travelport system must first sign a contract amendment with the GDS
provider. The requirement applies to agencies based within the 50 states as
well as in U.S. territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico and American Samoa.
“Travelport’s technology provides travelers with choices,
and we’re excited to be leading the way in making air travel to Cuba more
accessible to travel agencies and authorized travelers through Travelport’s
travel commerce platform,” Scott Hyden, Travelport’s group vice president and
general manager for the Americas, said in a statement.
Under federal regulations, U.S. residents can travel to Cuba
for one of 12 reasons, including educational and religious activities, family
visits and humanitarian projects.