NEW YORK- JetBlue (B6), the US airline, has decided to halt all its flights to Cuba starting on September 17.
This decision has been attributed to “changes in the regulatory landscape and restrictions on the ability of our customers to enter Cuba,” as stated in a company announcement reported by CNN.
JetBlue Cancels Cuba Flights
JetBlue expressed its intention to eventually resume its services to Havana and explore potential opportunities within Cuba if travel conditions become more favorable in the future.
Furthermore, the airline assured affected customers that they would receive full refunds as a result of this suspension.
JetBlue has made the decision to cease its operations in Cuba to concentrate on routes that are experiencing increased demand and better performance.
The airline, which made history by operating the first commercial flight between the United States and Cuba in 2016 after more than five decades of travel restrictions, considers this a strategic move.
The airline has expressed its desire to recommence its service to Havana. Further, explore potential opportunities within Cuba should travel conditions become more favorable in the future.
This move comes after a thaw period in relations between the two nations, which restored diplomatic ties in July 2015.
Travel Restrictions
Since 2022, there have been numerous instances of Cuban residents encountering obstacles when attempting to travel from the United States to Cuba.
The Cuban government has informed airlines like American Airlines (AA) and Southwest (WN) that certain individuals are prohibited from entering the country. Activists Anamely Ramos and Omara Ruiz Urquiola, for example, were among those who were denied boarding on return flights.
Furthermore, the tourism industry in Cuba has struggled to recover following the pandemic.
American tourists have chosen alternative destinations in the region, such as Cancun, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. This is due to Cuba’s economic crisis and high-priced tourism packages. Further, there are issues with basic infrastructure like roads, shops, and Internet access.
Numerous reports of nearly empty flights between Cuban and American cities have reflected the decline in travel demand to the island.
In September, JetBlue applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand its flight offerings to Cuba, approving 14 additional routes from South Florida.
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