U.S. to open regular commercial flights to Cuba

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The United States will resume commercial flights to Cuba as part of an ongoing process to normalize relations between the two countries.

President Barack Obama's administration will finalize an agreement with the island nation Tuesday allowing regularly scheduled plane travel to commence for the first time in 50 years.

As per the agreement, U.S. air carriers will be allowed to offer 20 flights a day to the Cuban capital of Havana and 10 more to other airports in the country.

Airlines will have to apply for clearance, which is expected to spark a bidding war, the Los Angeles times reported.

Tickets to Cuba may begin selling as soon as this fall, officials said. All American passengers will need to apply for visas before their trip.

A general agreement over the return of commercial flights between the U.S. and Cuba was made in December.