Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is one of several U.S. commercial carriers tentatively approved to schedule commercial service to Cuba, the airline announced Thursday morning on Twitter.
Commercial airline service to Havana from 10 U.S. cities was expected to begin as early as this fall, marking a major step in President Barack Obama's effort to normalize relations with Cuba.
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said eight U.S. airlines will begin a total of 20 scheduled daily flights between the U.S. and the Cuban capital.
The U.S. cities are: Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Houston; Los Angeles; Newark, New Jersey; New York; and four in Florida — Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.
The airlines are Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United.
The decision won't be final until later this summer — so there's time for the public to comment.
