IBC Airways (II, Miami International) has become the first US carrier to operate dedicated mail flights between the United States and Cuba in over fifty years following its inaugural service on Wednesday, March 16.
Using one of its eight Saab 340(F)s, the Floridian operator will operate the Miami International-Havana International route 3x weekly beginning March 25.
“The US Postal Service (USPS) is pleased to participate in the historic direct transportation of mail service with Cuba,” the US Postmaster General and CEO of the USPS, Megan Brennan, said to mark the occasion. “Moving letter mail and package volume directly between our countries will improve service for businesses and consumers.”
The USPS statement added that customers in the U.S. can send the following types of mail to Cuba: First-Class Mail International items, such as postcards and letter size envelopes; First-Class Package International Service item;, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes; and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.
Since the resumption of diplomatic relations between the former Cold War foes earlier this year, the United States and Cuba have moved to improve connectivity with air transport playing a key role in the detante.
Thus far Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Silver Airways, Spirit Airlines, Eastern Air Lines (2009), Dynamic International Airways, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, FedEx Express, and Frontier Airlines have all applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for frequency allocations for scheduled cargo and passenger flights between the US and Cuba.
