U.S. airlines vie for limited routes to Cuba

(Reuters) – Top U.S. airlines yesterday said they were seeking regulatory approval to start flying specific routes to Cuba, ramping up competition over a limited number of opportunities to serve one of the industry’s last frontiers.

Dramatizing their eagerness for the coveted flights, American Airlines Group Inc, JetBlue Airways Corp and others argued why they were best suited for the routes in memos that at times were critical of one another.

U.S. and Cuban officials signed an arrangement two weeks ago restoring commercial air service between the countries for the first time in decades. U.S. carriers had until March 2 to submit route applications to the U.S. Transportation Department.