The language in these responses has taken an ugly tone because airline executives know that the Cuban routes will be in high demand, chiefly from Miami, NYC and L.A.

LAN, a member of LATAM Airlines Group, will begin operating four direct flights per week between Santiago and La Paz (Bolivia) from 4 July 2016, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, to cut journey times and meet passenger demand.

A charter company based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Air America has been under new management since 2014 and, in the last 15 months, has looked to become more Caribbean focused.

Aeromexico, Mexico's global airline, is set to consolidate its presence in Tijuana by launching two new direct flights from the city, as well as expanding another.

Global airline distribution network APG has opened an office in Cuba to represent airlines in anticipation of growing demand for air travel following the country’s launch of initiatives to develop international business, with tourism as one of the island’s top industries.

As part of a major expansion at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, JetBlue is increasing the number of flights to The Bahamas.