U.S. Department Of Transportation At Request Of Secretary Of State Pompeo, Further Limits Aircraft Operations In Cuba
/UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Issued by the Department of Transportation on the 13th day of August, 2020
SUSPENSION OF U.S.-CUBA CHARTER AUTHORIZATIONS
DOCKET DOT-OST-2020-0129
By this Order, the U.S. Department of Transportation (the Department) announces action that will suspend all charter flights between the United States and all airports in Cuba, except for authorized public charters to and from Havana and other authorized charter flights for emergency medical purposes, search and rescue, and other travel deemed to be in the interest of the United States.
The Department is taking this action at the request of the U.S. Department of State. By letter dated August 13, 2020, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo wrote to Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao, stating that:
“To advance the Administration’s policy to strengthen the economic pressure on the Cuban regime as a means to restrict the regime’s ability to repress its people and support the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela, and in the foreign-policy interests of the United States, I respectfully request that the Department of Transportation suspend until further notice all charter flights between the United States and all airports in Cuba over which the Department of Transportation exercises jurisdiction, except for authorized public charters to and from Havana, and other authorized charter flights for emergency medical purposes, search and rescue, and other travel deemed to be in the interest of the United States.”
Non-Scheduled Charter Flights (Round-trips)
2020- 1,625
2019- 1,729
2018- 4,813
2017- 4,057
2016- 8,344
2015- 9,077
2014- 8,231
2013- 7,070
2012- 7,543
2011- 7,272
2010- 5,380
Scheduled Commercial Flights (Round-trips)
2020- 2,397
2019- 19,423
2018- 17,010
2017- 20,839
2016- 4,289
2015-36
2014- 2
2013- 11
2012- 3
2011- 3
2010- 16
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, United States Department of Transportation
Suspension of Private Charter Flights between the United States and Cuba
08/13/2020 12:59 PM EDT
Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
Today, I requested that the Department of Transportation suspend private charter flights to all Cuban airports, including Havana. This action will suspend all charter flights between the United States and Cuba over which the Department of Transportation exercises jurisdiction, except for authorized public charter flights to and from Havana and other authorized private charter flights for emergency medical purposes, search and rescue, and other travel deemed in the interest of the United States. This Administration will continue to target and cut the revenue the Cuban government earns from landing fees, stays in regime-owned hotels, and other travel-related income.
The Cuban military and intelligence services own and operate the great majority of hotels and tourism infrastructure in Cuba. We urge travelers of all nationalities to consider this and to make responsible decisions regarding travel to Cuba. The suspension of private charter flights will deny economic resources to the Castro regime and inhibit its capacity to carry out abuses.
Our message to the Castro regime has been clear: The United States will continue to stand up for the Cuban people and against the regime’s abuses and its interference in Venezuela to prop up Maduro’s illegitimate hold on power.
Unfortunately, the Castro regime has not changed its repressive and undemocratic behavior. It continues to imprison journalists and democracy activists, to oversee horrific physical abuse, to perpetuate the de facto dictatorship in Venezuela, to repress freedom of religion or belief, and to silence and intimidate those who speak truth about the reality in Cuba.
