Boxer, Feinstein Push for Non-Stop California-Cuba Flights

LOS ANGELES, CA - Coinciding with President Barack Obama's trip to Cuba, California's two U.S. senators are urging the Department of Transportation to approve scheduled non-stop air service between the state and the island nation.

In a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, both D-Calif., wrote that as the agency weighs applications from airlines to offer service to Cuba, it should ensure that California -- particularly Los Angeles -- is approved for flights.

"It is crucial that all Americans have convenient access to Cuba, including the thousands of companies, businesses and educational institutions that are clamoring for scheduled air service to Cuba," according to the letter, which was written Friday. "Direct service from California to Cuba will be an important step in ensuring this engagement.

"Additionally, the Los Angeles area is home to the nation's fourth-largest Cuban-American population, and the Los Angeles community is already served with a weekly charter flight to Havana. The demand and need for service from Los Angeles to Havana is proven."

American Airlines introduced its weekly charter service to Havana from LAX in December.

The senators noted that an agreement between the United States and Cuba allows for up to 110 daily direct flights between the two countries. The Department of Transportation is reviewing applications to determine which flights to approve.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock