UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C.

Served: January 15 , 2015

NOTICE

By this Notice, the Department advises on how it intends to implement the expanded opportunities for flights between the United States and Cuba , as announced by the

President on December 17, 2014

.

T he Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) within the Department of the Treasury is publish ing revised Cuban As sets Control R egulations

, 1 effective January 16, 2015

, which, among other things, provide for expand ed opportunities for authorized travel

between the United States and Cuba. Under the revised regulations, travelers who meet the requirements of one of the new or expanded general licenses set forth in the

12 authorized categories of travel 2 will no t require specific case

- by

- case OFAC approval to engage in travel

- related transactions involving Cuba

. 3 Furthermore, while U.S. flights

to Cuba have been limite d to charter operations, the revised regulations will no longer preclude scheduled operations

. The Department anticipate s that a number of U.S. air

carriers will be interested in taking advantage of the se new opportunities

.

In this regard, and consistent with the revised regulations, the U.S. Government will engage with the Government of Cuba to assess our aviation relations and establish a

bilateral basis for further expansion of air services

. With regard to U.S. carrier authority to serve Cuba, t he Department has previously stated that

, at such time as scheduled services could again be undertaken in the U.S.

- Cuba market

, we would take a fresh look

at the market. 4 The Department has also stated that , in reviewing the market in light of the changed circumstances, including the updated bilateral relations with Cuba, any carrier holding long

- dormant U.S.

- Cuba authority would enjoy no advantage. 5

1 31 C.F.R. Part 515 et seq

. 2 The existing authorized travel categories include: (1) family visits; (2) official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; (3) journalistic activity; (4) profess ional research and professional meetings; (5) educational activities; (6) religious activities; (7) public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; (8) support for the Cuban people; (9) humanitarian projects; (10) activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; (11) exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials; and (12) certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines. See 31 CFR § 515. 5 60.

3 T ravel for tourist activities remain s prohibited pursuant to 22 U.S.C. § 7209(b)

. 4 See Orders 92

- 7

- 9, at 6

- 8; and 92

- 5

- 30, at 21.

5 Id.2 Against this background

, we are deferring the activation of any existing unused scheduled authority to ser ve Cuba , as well as any new applications to serve Cuba, until further order of the Department.

Nothing in this Notice is intended to interfere with U.S.

- Cuba charter services, either as previously authorized or as may now be possible under the revised O FAC regulations.

The Department will serve this Notice by electronic mail on certificated U.S. carriers operating large aircraft, the U.S. Department of State (Office of Aviation Negotiations),

and the Federal Aviation Administration (AFS

- 200 )

.

By:

SUSAN L. KURLAND Assistant Secretary for Aviation

and International Affairs (SEAL)

An electronic version of this document is available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.regulations.gov