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 The United States and Cuba signed an agreement a month ago
restoring commercial air service between the former Cold War foes
for the first time in decades. Under the agreement, 20 daily
round-trip flights will be allowed to Havana but 13 U.S. carriers
already have requested at least 52 flights per day, far exceeding
the limit.
Airlines submitted responses to rivals' applications by the Monday
deadline set by the U.S. Transportation Department for travel to the
capital of Havana.
The filings come just before a trip to Cuba next week by President
Barack Obama, the first by a U.S. president in nearly 90 years.
The arguments that emerged from the airline's filings contrasted low
airfares and the convenience.
 American Airlines Group Inc <AAL.O> said nearly half of the entire
Cuban-American population lives near its Miami hub, from which it
applied for 10 daily flights to Havana. It said this gives it an
advantage because a not-yet-lifted ban on tourism to Cuba means
traffic must come from authorized travelers, such as people visiting
family on the island.
"The frequencies proposed by JetBlue have no relation to demand,"
said American in its filing, claiming its rival to the Caribbean ran
half-empty charters from nearby Fort Lauderdale to Havana.
American said 58 convenient connections via Miami would help it sell
seats and serve more travelers globally, compared with JetBlue's
alleged 15 connections via Fort Lauderdale.
JetBlue Airways Corp <JBLU.O> did not have additional comments
beyond its own filing, which focused on the importance of
competition and lower fares.
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"There is no possible justification for one legacy carrier to have
50 percent of available frequencies for use on one route," JetBlue
said. "American thrives, for example, in offering service in markets
where it dominates with high fares and disappointing service."
Southwest Airlines Co <LUV.N>, in turn, argued for Florida-Cuba
service, saying it was the true low-fare leader, reducing average
one-way prices $41.46 when entering legacy markets, compared with
fares falling $28.91 when JetBlue entered.
And United Continental Holdings Inc <UAL.N>, whose application
focused on daily Newark flights, questioned the need for extensive
Florida schedules altogether.
"Why would you disproportionately allocate frequencies to Florida,
when (unlimited charter flights there) can pick up the slack?" said
Steve Morrissey, United's regulatory and policy vice president, in
an interview.
(Reporting By Jeffrey Dastin in New York; Editing by Diane Craft)
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