Pittsburgh International Flights to Cuba

Eight airports in the U.S., including Pittsburgh’s, have been added to the three that have been able to schedule charter flights to Cuba. The Helms-Burton Act of 1996 strengthened the U.S. embargo against Cuba that had been in place since 1960 after Fidel Castro’s rise to power.

State Senator Jim Ferlo says he is elated the Obama administration is easing some of those restrictions, as did the Clinton administration. Ferlo says he considers it unconstitutional that ordinary Americans are prohibited from traveling freely to Cuba. Cuba is the number one destination for Canadians, says Ferlo, and many Pittsburghers would love to go there, which would help fill some of the empty gates at Pittsburgh International Airport. He notes there are many people in Congress who are eager to open up trade with Cuba.