U.S.-Cuba to Sign Commercial Flight Agreement Today

The United States and Cuba are a step closer to fully normalizing relationships as the countries will reportedly sign an agreement to restore scheduled airline service for the first time in more than 50 years.

While some U.S. airlines are currently flying charter flights, all will now be able to apply for permission from the U.S. Transportation Department to start flying commercial routes to Cuba starting today. Airlines will have 15 days to submit applications.

Airlines will be competing for some of 20 round-trip flights per day between the United States and Havana, and 10 daily round-trip flights between the United States other Cuban cities allowed by the new agreement. The Transportation Department is expected to award routes by this summer.

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