Plano (WBAP/KLIF News) – The Department of Transportation has awarded airlines with a total of 20 daily flights to Cuba to start later this year. Ft. Worth-based American Airlines will receive the most slots, with five daily trips.
None of the flights will originate from DFW, though.
American will run four flights from Miami and one from Charlotte. American’s request for a flight from DFW was rejected.
Dallas-based Southwest has won approval for three daily flights, two from Ft. Lauderdale and one from Tampa.
Travel agents in North Texas say they have seen a spike in interest from people looking to travel to Cuba.
“You still can’t go and just lay on the beach all week,” says Cathi Banks, co-owner of Legacy Travel in Plano. “A lot of the people who wonder about going to Cuba, that’s what they’re asking about. That’s not really a thing yet, but I’m sure it’s coming.”
She says hotels in Cuba would not match the resorts that have been built in other parts of the Caribbean.
“For your typical traveler, I think they would be uncomfortable with the level of accommodation,” she says.
Banks says initial demand for flights to Cuba may increase, but she wonders if American or Southwest would have success flying from the Metroplex long-term. She says hotels may improve over time.
“The things that American travelers want is what will happen,” Banks says. “It follows the dollar.”
A total of eight airlines won the ability to fly to Cuba. They have two weeks to file objections to their spots. Flights could begin as soon as this Fall.
(Copyright 2016 WBAP/KLIF News. All rights reserved)
