For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON — At the direction of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will initiate a rule change regarding flights to and from Cuba. This action follows U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Transportation announcements that the United States will re-establish scheduled flights between the United States and Cuba.
As part of this process, CBP will seek to repeal the current regulation, 19 CFR, 122, Subpart O. These Cuba-related regulations are no longer needed because they are largely redundant with current regulations that apply to all air travel to the U.S. Once repealed, flights to and from Cuba would be subject to the same legal requirements under Title 19 as other international flights. Currently, CBP requires flights to and from Cuba to use CBP-authorized airports.
“We are executing on the President’s vision for our relationship with Cuba,” said Alejandro Mayorkas, the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. “By eliminating an outdated regulation, we are removing a barrier to authorized travel and benefiting the people of our two nations.”
Shortly after the signing, the Department of Transportation will initiate the carrier selection process and invite U.S. air carriers to apply for an allocation of the newly available frequencies to provide scheduled air service between the two nations.
CBP’s repeal of Subpart O of 19 CFR Part 122 would have no impact upon any other federal agency, carrier or traveler requirements that may be relevant for flights to and from Cuba.
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