Swiss Airline Edelweiss Cancels Flights to Cuba

[El Presidente]

 

https://havanatimes.org/news/swiss-airline-edelweiss-cancels-flights-to-cuba/

 

HAVANA TIMES – Gravely wounded in recent years, Cuba’s tourism industry is facing a new problem: airlines rerouting flights that they previously flew to the Island, but now prefer to land at its largest Caribbean competitor, the Dominican Republic.

 

[avitus]

I'm a bit confused here, US put Cuba on the list of states that sponsor terrorism but Delta and American Airlines do more than ten flights Miami-Cuba daily.

I mean, they give cash to Cuban government directly at least in service fees. How that even possible?

[VeguerosMAN]

24 minutes ago, avitus said:

I'm a bit confused here, US put Cuba on the list of states that sponsor terrorism but Delta and American Airlines do more than ten flights Miami-Cuba daily.

I mean, they give cash to Cuban government directly at least in service fees. How that even possible?

I think you can still travel to countries that are listed as sponsoring terrorism. 

[chris12381]

10 hours ago, avitus said:

I mean, they give cash to Cuban government directly at least in service fees. How that even possible?

The Cuban Asset Control Regulations permit certain travel related transactions. Paying of fees to the government for use of their facilities is permitted. You can read about it here. 

https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/728

In addition to fees to access Cuban airports, US owned airlines have been paying the Cuban government for overflight permits. This began in 1996. Last year, US airlines paid about $9 million for overflight permits. 

[chris12381]

Condor is also dropping service this year and Iberia may also as well.  

[ATGroom]

10 hours ago, avitus said:

I'm a bit confused here, US put Cuba on the list of states that sponsor terrorism but Delta and American Airlines do more than ten flights Miami-Cuba daily.

I mean, they give cash to Cuban government directly at least in service fees. How that even possible?

Europeans, Australians, and people from other friendly countries are normally able to travel to the US visa free with an ETSA. It's an electronic form that you fill in. Takes 5 minutes, minimal fee, instantly issued.

One of the questions you need to answer for the ETSA is "have you visited a state sponsor of terrorism in the last 10 years?". If you answer "yes", which you should if you have visited Cuba, then your ETSA is rejected. You need to apply for a tourist visa.

A tourist visa is a much more involved process where you need to send your passport away to the embassy to be evaluated, answer a lot more questions, and the fee is higher.

If you hold a tourist visa and you then visit a state sponsor of terrorism again, in theory your visa is invalidated and you need to reapply.

For people who wish to have the option to travel to or even transit through the US, many feel that visiting Cuba makes things too much of a hassle to be worthwhile.

Ironically, the US government makes it easier for their own citizens to visit Cuba than for foreigners.

[La_Tigre]

6 hours ago, ATGroom said:

Europeans, Australians, and people from other friendly countries are normally able to travel to the US visa free with an ETSA. It's an electronic form that you fill in. Takes 5 minutes, minimal fee, instantly issued.

One of the questions you need to answer for the ETSA is "have you visited a state sponsor of terrorism in the last 10 years?". If you answer "yes", which you should if you have visited Cuba, then your ETSA is rejected. You need to apply for a tourist visa.

A tourist visa is a much more involved process where you need to send your passport away to the embassy to be evaluated, answer a lot more questions, and the fee is higher.

If you hold a tourist visa and you then visit a state sponsor of terrorism again, in theory your visa is invalidated and you need to reapply.

For people who wish to have the option to travel to or even transit through the US, many feel that visiting Cuba makes things too much of a hassle to be worthwhile.

Ironically, the US government makes it easier for their own citizens to visit Cuba than for foreigners.

It is surprising that they have not removed the visit to Cuba. And making it to the point of only being able to visit if you have first or second generation relatives. Can see that being on the way...

[El Presidente]

4 hours ago, La_Tigre said:

It is surprising that they have not removed the visit to Cuba. And making it to the point of only being able to visit if you have first or second generation relatives. Can see that being on the way…

The existing screws will continue to turn. New screws will be found. There is so much going on in this space. February will be interesting. 

[avitus]

15 hours ago, ATGroom said:

Ironically, the US government makes it easier for their own citizens to visit Cuba than for foreigners.

Yeah, that's really hard to understand 🤪

Thanks for the explanation!

[SCgarman]

23 hours ago, VeguerosMAN said:

I think you can still travel to countries that are listed as sponsoring terrorism. 

At your own peril, and a foolish decision if you are a US citizen. Is it really worth risking it? My other half is employed by a US D.O.D. contractor. I'm sure as hell not risking the roof over my head or food on my table just to visit Cuba and say I stuck it to "the man"! 😂