U.S. and Cuba restore commercial flights after more than 50 years

U.S. and Cuban officials signed a pact Tuesday restoring commercial flights between the two nations, Time reports. The deal, arranged in December, means scheduled air travel between the two nations will be possible for the first time in more than 50 years, when relations worsened during the Cold War.

"We are excited to announce the availability of new scheduled air service opportunities to Cuba for U.S. carriers, shippers, and the traveling public, and we will conduct this proceeding in a manner designed to maximize public benefits," U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement.

U.S. airlines must submit Cuban route proposals to the government by March 2. The Transportation Department is expected to make approvals by mid-March, allowing up to 110 round trips between the U.S. and Cuba each day.

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