FT. WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News) — Just two months after beginning service between the U.S. and Cuba Fort Worth based American Airlines has announced it will cut nearly 25 percent of its flights to the island nation starting in mid-February.
Company spokesman Matt Miller explained the airline is responding to market demand and that the decision has nothing to do with Donald Trump’s election to the presidency. Miller said American, the world’s largest airline, will reduce daily service to 10 round-trip flights from the current thirteen. Miller also explained the airline will most likely cutback on seating capacity between Miami and Holquin and is hoping to contract other flights to a smaller, regional airline, Republic Airways.
“Even after these adjustments,” Miller added, “we still will be the largest carrier between the U.S. and Cuba.”
According to Reuters it isn’t unusual for airlines to perform poorly when they begin service to previously restricted markets but American’s announced cutbacks to its Cuban schedule after just two months is a surprise considering the industry’s enthusiasm for the governmental permission to serve Cuba.
President-elect Trump has warned Cuba that he could end the recent thaw in relations between the two countries if the Communist government doesn’t make “a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole.”
