United Airlines has submitted its formal application to the US department of transportation for authority to provide service from four of its largest US gateway cities – Newark/New York, Houston, Washington, D.C. and Chicago – to Havana’s José Martí International Airport.

At the same time American Airlines issued proposal to operate scheduled services, including ten daily frequencies to Havana from American’s Latin America gateway hub in Miami.

American will also offer additional service to Havana from its hubs in Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles and Chicago.

“This is a historic moment for our company, our employees and, most importantly, our customers,” said Oscar Munoz, United president and chief executive officer.

United’s proposal to DOT outlines its planned service to Havana from hubs serving four of the country’s largest Cuban-American populations.

The service would include a total of 11 round-trip flights per week with daily service from Newark Liberty and one additional Saturday flight (eight weekly flights), along with a Saturday-only flight from Houston George Bush Intercontinental, Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare (three weekly flights).

American’s proposal also includes daily service between Miami and five other Cuban cities.

“American is the undisputed leader in serving the people and businesses of Miami-Dade County, which is the heart and soul of the Cuban-American community and home to nearly 50 per cent of the Cuban-American population in the United States,” said American chairman Doug Parker.

“American’s proposed service – from Miami and four other hubs – will provide a strong foundation for the sustained future growth of commercial and cultural ties between the US and Cuba.