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"This is the final call for the flight to Havana. You should be in your seats with safety belts fastened."
Most Americans never thought they'd hear this message, but commercial flights to Cuba will depart airports nationally later this year - a tangible benefit of the recent reopening of embassies and lifting of economic sanctions.
There are numerous airlines, including United, American, Delta, and JetBlue, fighting for permission to fly these coveted routes. But not all will succeed, and so these carriers are applying pressure on the Federal Aviation Administration with letters from passengers and meetings with Congressmen and Cuban authorities.
But, Cuba needs to have a facelift before tourists flock there.
An airline lawyer who flew to meet with Cuban authorities can vouch for this. During this meeting, their building's lights flickered and went out. And they had strained communications with the U.S. mainland with spotty phone service.
This makes us question: is Cuba ready for U.S. tourism? Thousands of additional visitors are bound to strain the local infrastructure. The terminals and authorities are simply not able to handle this massive increase at this time; the same lawyer recalled less than punctilious service in the Customs area of the airport with only a few daily flights to manage.
But lack of hotel rooms and amenities will not stop the U.S. tourists from flocking to Havana. Instead, this will generate a building boom not seen since rich Americans started developing Havana before the sanctions were enforced. Penny Pritzker, the Commerce Secretary and Hyatt Hotel heiress, paid an official visit recently, so don't be surprised if an American brand of some kind returns to the sandy beaches and swaying palms of Cuba.
For now, let's enjoy the moment. The dismantling of barriers to freedom to travel should always be celebrated, as should those who have the moxie to get us there and to make aviation history.
( Vivian )02 Aug,2016
| Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
| NACV32X/3AS NTN | 15.875 | 50.8 | 33.338 |
| NACV30X/3AS NTN | 12.7 | 47.625 | 26.988 |