Orlando To Cuba Flights Begin This Summer

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ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) — This summer Orlando will be the third Florida city to offer charter flights to Cuba.

Officials at Orlando International Airport said Island Travel and Tours will begin nonstop flights to Cuba in July.

The company plans to use Boeing 737-300 aircraft with a capacity of 120 passengers — 112 in coach and eight in first class.

Travelers to Cuba will need to get prior approval from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.

Charter flights to Cuba already depart from airports in Miami and Tampa.

Some commerical airlines are also very interested in expanding into Cuba.

American, whic already operates about 20 charter flights a week to Cuba, has said it would like to add regular flights from Miami.

JetBlue and Sun Country also offer charter flights to the island.

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have expressed interest since President Barack Obama announced that the U.S. would establish diplomatic relations and expand trade and tourism with Cuba.

New U.S. government rules relaxed travel restrictions that have stood for 54 years since the communist revolution in Cuba. Licenses are no longer required, but trips are limited to 12 categories including visiting close relatives, humanitarian missions and educational tours. Tourism is not an approved reason to visit — yet.

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