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.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) within the Department of the Treasury is

publishing revised Cuban Assets Control Regulations,

1 effective January 16, 2015,

which, among other things, provide for expanded 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 travel2 will not 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 limited to charter operations, the revised regulations will no longer 

preclude scheduled operations. The Department anticipates that a number of U.S. air

carriers will be interested in taking advantage of these 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, the 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) 

professional 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 § 515.560. 3 Travel for tourist activities remains 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 serve 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 OFAC 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