MIAMI _ Ten cities tentatively won government approval to schedule commercial air service between the United States and Havana, Cuba, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday.
The cities approved for a combined 20 daily non-stop flights are Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Houston; Los Angeles; Newark, N.J.; New York City; and Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and Tampa in Florida.
The DOT wrote in a fact sheet that it hopes to have a final decision by the end of the summer, which allows for a 30-day public comment period. The proposed airlines could begin flights as early as the fall _ within 90 days of the decision being finalized.
"Today we take another important step toward delivering on President Obama's promise to reengage Cuba," U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a release. "Restoring regular air service holds tremendous potential to reunite Cuban American families and foster education and opportunities for American businesses of all sizes."
Eight airlines _ Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United _ would carry out the 20 daily round-trip flights to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport under the agreement. In total, a dozen airlines applied for about 60 daily flights.
Commercial air service between the U.S. and Cuba has been embargoed since 1960. In December 2014, President Barack Obama eased travel restrictions to allow travel agents and carriers to book flights there without permission from the U.S. government.
Last month, the department announced the approval of six airlines to begin scheduling service to nine cities in Cuba.
Travel to Cuba is allowed only for 12 reasons, including visiting family or religious, educational or cultural reasons.
Tourism is still not an acceptable reason to go to Cuba.
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