Florida

American Airlines Cutting Number of Flights to Cuba After Weak Demand

After over a decade of tense relations between the United States and Cuba, recent changes have allowed for somewhat of a thawing – and an increase in travel between the nations, including the first commercial flights since the late Fidel Castro took over.

Now, thanks to a weakened demand and the unknown future of possible changes in relations under President-elect Donald Trump, one airliner is already cutting the number of flights between the neighboring counties.

American Airlines will reduce the number of round trip flights from 13 to 10 starting in February – as well as flying smaller planes for certain routes. The airline said demand was the reason for the move.

Other airlines have said they will keep their schedule as is, but that could change in the coming weeks.

American was one of eight airlines that bid for the rights to fly between the U.S. and Cuba when President Obama announced plans to begin restoring travel between the counties. Flights started from South Florida on August 31st – with service to Havana added just this week.

A spokesman for the airline told the Miami Herald that the the move had nothing to do with comments made from Trump regarding a possible ending of the restoring push – however, some experts say travelers are growing worried and are in a wait-and-see mode for future plans regarding travel between the countries.

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