Broward Wants to Go to Cuba

South Floridians may soon have a second option when it comes to traveling to Cuba, after Broward County commissioners voted yesterday to seek permission to operate flights and boat passage to and from the Communist nation.

With over 100,000 Cuban natives living in Broward and Palm Beach counties, officials are hoping to capitalize on the easier access Cubans have to their homeland.

The federal government eased travel restrictions to Cuba earlier this year, making the island more accessable to Americans with relatives there. And with only three airports nationwide -- MIA, JFK in New York and LAX -- allowed to operate flights in and out of Cuba, commissioners are hoping Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International can get in on the action.

"We want to put ourselves to be in a position to be considered," Broward airport director Kent George told the Miami Herald. "We have the gates, customs and security."

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood is likely just one of several airports that will seek permission from the feds to operate the flights. Tampa and Key West are also interested in operating the flights.

"There are other airports in the U.S. that have been lobbying very heavily to get approved and they have been at it for seven or eight months," Vivian Mannerud, owner of Airline Brokers Company, told the Herald.

Commissioners are also hoping Port Everglades can be used to ferry passengers to and from Cuba by boat.

But before you start to pack your bags and make hotel reservations in Havana, keep in mind it could take months or even years before travel approval is granted to Broward.

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