Frontier Applies For Direct Flights Between Philadelphia And Cuba
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Frontier Airlines is taking the first steps in making a direct flight that connects Philadelphia and Cuba. The airline is ready to embark on a long, lost frontier.
They've applied to become the first carrier for direct flights from Philadelphia to Cuba.
Frontier Airlines has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a couple flights into Cuba, originating at Philadelphia International Airport.
"What we're proposing is one weekly non-stop flight between Philadelphia and Varadero, Cuba. And we are also proposing one-stop through plane service from Philadelphia to both Santa Clara and Camaguey, Cuba," said Frontier spokesperson Jim Faulkner.
But when that will happen is still up in the air.
"It's kind of a waiting game. We may hear late summer, early fall, but right now, it's in their hands," said Faulkner.
The United States and Cuba recently restored international relations, opening the door for more U.S. tourism dollars to flow into the island nation.
U.S. Airlines Sign Up For Commercial Flights To Cuba
"We wanted to get there before it got super busy with Americans," said Becky Kiss who visited Cuba.
Past visits for Americans meant gaining access through under regulated routes. "Last time we went, we had to go through Cancun," Nate Stanglein explained.
Potential visitors must prove work, humanitarian, research or family needs.
"I would want to wait until all the wrinkles are ironed out so I really know that it's safe," said Candice Scully.
"I love the beach. I love the atmosphere. I love Cuban food, so I think it would be really awesome for me," said Anthony Brignola, but for those with Cuban roots, a direct connection is more complicated.
Many Cubans of a certain age hold a certain disdain for the idea of returning to a country that dealt their families so much hardship, but in Kensington, Eyewitness News found a new generation of Cubans that have found the beauty in connecting these two worlds.
Caridad Delgado left Cuba in 1980 with most of her family. "That's going to be fantastic...real good," Delgado said, fighting tears, about the possibility of a direct flight between Philadelphia and the country she once called home.
"My country, even though we have so much problems, it's too beautiful a country. We can see it, where we got it, and we can offer it to the world," she added.
If approved, these flights could begin sometime in the fall, but we asked Delgado how soon she would want to go back if they were approved tomorrow. Her answer: "Tomorrow."
