US Airlines Battle For Routes To Cuba

The Hill reports:

U.S. airlines are in vicious competition for the chance to provide direct service to Cuba, even as the impact of the new business on their bottom lines is unclear. Last month, the Department of Transportation opened bidding from airlines to operate 20 daily round-trip flights to Havana, and 10 flights to nine smaller airports on the island.

It prompted quick response from the nation’s largest carriers, including Delta, United Airlines, Southwest and American Airlines, and smaller companies including JetBlue, Spirit and Seattle-based Alaska Airlines. The DOT expects to decide who will have those routes this summer, and airlines hope to begin service by the end of the year.