Fly Your Own Plane to Cuba? The Answer is NO

Want to Fly your own plane to Cuba now that travel restrictions have somewhat eased? Do not start your engines. U.S. policy relating to private aircraft travel to Cuba has not changed and remains highly restrictive.

Do not start your engines yetPrivate Flights to Cuba are not part of the recent policy changes The Jan 15 White House announcement of new Cuban regulations governing individual travel, trade and financial services makes it easier for individuals to travel to Cuba. Flying your own plane to Cuba, however, still remains a remote dream. Caribbean Flying Adventures (CFA) has had extensive contact with Cuba officials as a the lowest cost provider of Cuban Overflight Permits. CFA has also worked closely with the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments over the years on issues relating to Cuba and private aviation. According to CFA President Jim Parker "the rules have not changed for flying you own plane to Cuba. An export license is still required and these are only issued for "humanitarian" reasons or if the flight is deemed to be in the "foreign policy interests of the U.S." Parker is a retired senior U.S. diplomat who knows the ins and outs of the U.S. government's foreign policy. Caribbean Flying Adventures has spoken directly with Commerce Department Officials who confirm that provisions regarding private aircraft flights to Cuba remain unchanged and remain highly restrictive. Pilots are welcome to apply for an export license but the liklihood of approval is is as low as it was before the January 15 announcement. And for our Canadian friends, you are also prohibited from flying your own aircraft to Cuba from a U.S. airport if your aircraft contains more than 10% U.S. parts! (Who dreams up this stuff??!) Some pilot organizations may be raising false hopes by indicating that they are working with FAA to improve private aircraft access to Cuba. Permission to fly your Cessna 172 to Cuba has absolutely nothing to do with the FAA. Export licenses are issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce with concurrence from the Treasury and State Departments. Caribbean Flying Adventures has prepared a five day Cuban Fly In program with Cuban authorities and is ready to launch as soon as U.S. policy changes. When that will be is probably further out in time than we would like as private pilots. For additional information email JIm@CaribbeanFlyingAdventures.com