The Minnesota Orchestra, which departs tomorrow for a tour in Cuba, requested assistance in seeking approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to allow direct flights between the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP) and Havana so that the orchestra would not have to make a costly additional stop at another airport already approved for flights to Cuba 

Klobuchar successfully pressed CBP to expedite MSP’s application to host direct flights; starting tomorrow, May 13, the airport will be eligible for direct charter and commercial flights to and from Havana

WASHINGTON, DC —In time for the Minnesota Orchestra’s tour to Cuba, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today announced that she has secured approval for direct flights between the Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) Airport and Havana, Cuba. The Minnesota Orchestra, which departs tomorrow for a tour to Cuba, requested assistance in seeking approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to allow direct flights between the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and Havana so that the orchestra would not have to make a costly additional stop at another airport already approved for flights to Cuba. Klobuchar successfully pressed CBP to expedite MSP’s application to host direct flights. Starting tomorrow, May 13, the airport will be eligible for direct charter and commercial flights to and from Havana.

“As our country works to build new bridges with the people of Cuba, cultural exchanges like the Minnesota Orchestra’s trip will help ensure these new relations get started on a high note,” Klobuchar said. “Securing direct flights between the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and Havana will make it easier for other Minnesotans to seek travel and commerce opportunities in Cuba, and I will continue pushing policies that will benefit both our country and the Cuban people.”

“We can’t thank Senator Klobuchar enough for her advocacy in expediting the review of the Metropolitan Airport Commission’s request to establish a direct route between MSP and Havana. The direct flight was critical to the Minnesota Orchestra’s Cuba trip and the permanently approved direct route should benefit the people of Minnesota for years to come,” said Minnesota Orchestra President and CEO Kevin Smith.

Klobuchar recently traveled to Cuba to meet with agriculture and export officials to identify ways to open up new economic opportunities for businesses and farmers in Minnesota and across the country. Klobuchar has also introduced major bipartisan legislation to lift the current embargo, which will allow more U.S. goods to be exported to Cuba. The bill would eliminate the legal barriers to Americans doing business in Cuba, boosting job creation and exports. It does not repeal provisions of current law that address human rights in Cuba or that allow individuals and businesses to pursue claims against the Cuban government. Klobuchar is also a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation to lift the Cuba travel ban.

###