Might DOT & TSA Need To Delay Implementation Of Commercial Flights To Cuba?
/From Politico (7.15.2016)
"CUBAN FLIGHTS AND SECURITY FIGHTS: Commercial flights from Cuba to the U.S. are scheduled for takeoff in eight weeks, but it appears the Obama administration is still trying to make sure airport security is up to snuff at the 10 Cuban hubs cleared for U.S. service.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says he has asked TSA [Transportation Security Agency] to give him assurances that those airports meet U.S. security standards, not just the bar ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization] has set.
No help: The secretary also let on that he tried to call in a favor for the very lawmakers who have been fighting the White House on this issue. Johnson said the administration attempted, and failed, to get the Cuban government to approve visas for House Homeland Security Committee lawmakers who wanted to check out the country's aviation security protocols.
Can't stop, won't stop: Rep. John Katko [R- New York] has been relentless in trying to call attention to his Cuban security concerns. Besides introducing a bill (H.R. 5728) earlier this week to try to block flights until TSA certifies that the U.S.-bound flights will be adequately protected, he's written a letter asking Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to delay Cuban service."