Cuba Approves New Flight Service from New Orleans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Michelle C. Wilcut
Media Relations
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
504-628-0250 (cell)

           CUBA APPROVES NEW FLIGHT SERVICE FROM NEW ORLEANS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 12, 2011, New Orleans - After a trip by members of Mayor Mitch Landrieu's Administration and Airport officials, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has received approval from Cuban authorities to receive direct flights. This message was conveyed in a letter to the Airport Director from Cuban officials. This was the final step in the approval process for launching direct flight service from New Orleans to Cuba. In March 2011, Armstrong International Airport received official notification from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that its application to serve as a gateway to Cuba was approved along with seven (7) other airports.

The approval granted by the Cuban government would allow any supplier in the U.S that meets the requirements of the travel act to provide the service. Flight permits for the service must be processed by the Department of Permits and Flight Planning Institute Civil Aeronautics of Cuba (IACC).

"The administration and Airport management worked hard on creating an opportunity for private sector to provide flights from Armstrong International Airport to Cuba", said Armstrong Airport Director of Aviation, Iftikhar Ahmad. "We hope that private sector will benefit from this opportunity."

Travel to Cuba will be restricted to "purposeful" travel. Passengers must have close relatives in Cuba or must be involved in the medical or agricultural business sectors. Travel for education and religious activities is also permitted.

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