FedEx Express (FX, Memphis International) has applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for permission to defer the launch of scheduled dedicated-cargo services to Cuba by six months, or until October 15, 2017.

The US logistics giant was the only cargo carrier to have been granted Cuban route authorities following the reestablishment of bilateral diplomatic ties in June 2015. A year on, the DOT authorized FedEx to operate a 5x weekly service (weekdays only) between Miami International and Varadero/Matanzas, Cuba. Service was to have begun within ninety (90) days of its requested January 15, 2017 start-up date, or by April 15, 2017.

However, FedEx said in its application that it had encountered various obstacles in initiating service between the United States and Cuba including the Cuban market's "emergent nature" as well as unspecified "Cuban regulatory complexities" thus necessitating its deferment request.

"FedEx requires a six-month extension of time for inaugurating its MIA-VRA service because of several inextricable dynamics, such as securing and establishing business relationships with Cuban service providers - in relation to air operations support services, customs clearance, and ground/delivery operations - who would appropriately complement the express delivery services for which FedEx is world-renowned while remaining within the limits of the existing, relevant Cuban laws and regulations," it said.

Several US scheduled passenger carriers, such as American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue Airways, have also applied to the DOT for Cuba start-up extensions. Reasons cited include protracted slot negotiations, a lack of trained personnel and TSA-compliant infrastructure.