United Airlines announced an application put forward this week to the Department of Transportation, asking for more daily flights between Houston and Havana.
At present, the Houston-to-Havana route flies only once per week on Saturdays. That route was launched in December 2016 and is the only airport with connection to Havana that isn’t located on the East Coast. United Airlines has proven to be the U.S. airline with the least amount of service to Havana at present, and now, they want in on the competition.
“There are a number of synergies between Cuba and Houston when it comes to energy, medicine, education, the arts – even in sports,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “United’s daily air service from Houston to Havana will greatly increase opportunities to connect family and friends while significantly increasing potential for trade and investment between Houston and Cuba.”
In addition to the mayor, the proposal has already garnered support from a number of corners, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbot and a number of Texas Congressmen. Houston itself is already a large exporter of raw materials to Cuba, from building materials to water supply systems, and the Port of Houston regularly exports grains, soybeans, corn and chicken to the island nation. If approved, United would begin flights with either Boeing 737-800 aircraft or Embraer E175 regional aircraft.