ExcelAire Cleared for Cuba

Ronkonkoma, N.Y.-based ExcelAire has become the latest operator to receive FAA authorization to fly charter service to Cuba. ExcelAire, which is authorized to fly directly to the island nation from 19 gateway U.S. cities, completed its first trip late last month from New York JFK International Airport to Havana.

ExcelAire joins a small but growing number of operators that have obtained FAA approval to provide commercial service to Cuba as the U.S. government has worked over the past year to ease travel restrictions there. “ExcelAire is one of the few private jet charter firms with the necessary certifications and authorizations,” said ExcelAire president Greg Brinkman, noting that the company can operate a range of jets, from the Embraer Legacy to the Gulfstream G450, to Cuba.

Over the past year, the U.S. government has eased a few key licensing requirements for travel to Cuba, as well as lifted certain export restrictions. Also, operators are now permitted to keep their aircraft in Cuba for up to seven days.