Key West looks to restore flights to Cuba

The Miami Herald reports: Key West is hoping to join Miami and two other U.S. cities as ports of entry for travel to Cuba, 50 years after Key West-to-Havana flights ceased when Fidel Castro took power in the island nation.

Key West International Airport director Peter Horton said restoration of the once-popular route is "long overdue."

Last week, he sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control requesting that Key West be declared an entry port.

"Up until recently, the travel restrictions to Cuba were pretty onerous," Horton said yesterday. "Those have been relieved quite a bit. We hope this is a trend that will continue, and eventually all travel restrictions to Cuba will be lifted."

Travel from Key West to Cuba already is allowed via boat for those who qualify. Such travel requires a special permit from the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon reentering the United States, travelers by water have to clear Customs, just as they would upon return from any other international destination.

"It's a different world for us," said Raymond Archer, director of port operations for the city of Key West. "We already are a port of entry for some travelers from Cuba."

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