Sun Country Airlines (SY, Minneapolis St. Paul International) has submitted a motion to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) relinquishing its traffic rights for two weekly flights from the United States to Cuba. The airline cites uncertain demand and a lack of clarity surrounding travel restrictions as the reasons behind its decision not to start flights to Cuba.

Sun Country had received frequency allocations for Saturday-only Minneapolis St. Paul International-Varadero and Sunday-only Minneapolis/St. Paul-Santa Clara de Cuba flights in June 2016. In January 2017, it extended its waiver period until December 2017 in order to better evaluate market demand and the impact of the trade embargo, only to finally decide not to commence the flights.

The decision means that Minneapolis/St.Paul, the sixteenth busiest airport in the United States, will continue to lack a direct service to Cuba.

Sun Country Airlines' resignation follows similar steps taken by Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines, which ceased their flights to Havana International in June and May this year respectively. Regional carrier Silver Airways stopped flying to Cuba in April, while mainline airlines, such as American Airlines and JetBlue Airways, have cut down their capacity to the island. All of them cite lower than expected demand as the main reason.

Following Sun Country Airlines' decision, the DOT will likely institute new frequency allocation proceedings for the relinquished traffic rights.