Silver Airways Applies For Service From Florida To Cuba
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Silver Airways filed an application on Wednesday with the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide air service to Cuba.
The airline's application includes scheduled air service to ten Cuban destinations from five Florida cities; Key West, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Fort Myers/Naples.
Silver Airways operates more routes within Florida and between Florida and the Bahamas than any other airline.
"Silver Airways is making a substantial commitment to both the people of Florida and Cuba as we look forward to bridging the large Cuban American populations in Florida to every destination possible in Cuba," said Silver Airways President and CEO Sami Teittinen. "While many airlines will apply to serve the large, lucrative Havana routes, Silver is applying to provide convenient, direct service to all 10 Cuban destinations from five Florida cities that is essential for our residents. In addition, Florida is our home and we understand this market having flown charters to Cuba in the past for many years."
The application proposes nonstop service to Havana, Cuba from Key West, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Fort Myers/Naples with additional one-stop service to Tampa and Orlando.
In addition to the airline's Havana route requests, Silver is also applying to serve nine additional Cuban destinations from its southern Florida hub of Fort Lauderdale.
"We are making a strong commitment to serve all of Cuba, including the nine cities beyond Havana where much economic development is expected. There are a number of markets in Cuba that are likely to see little to any service from the other airlines," said Silver Airways Executive Vice President and CFO Jason Bewley. "At the same time, being awarded multiple routes to Havana is critical to supporting the other nine Cuban markets and making the full bridge to Cuba financially viable and sustainable long term."
