DALLAS (KRLD) - Southwest has changed its mind about adding Cuba routes, saying it will instead focus on getting its Hawaii service off the ground.
The Dallas-based carrier says it will work with the Federal Aviation Administration to get the proper certification needed to fly to Hawaii.
Aviation expert Denny Kelly says that's simply because its not too profitable.
"Cuban flights from Florida are short and often don't net much. Hawaiian routes however, are four hours long. Any carrier flying to Hawaii is making money," he says
Only 20 daily routes to Havana are available to domestic carriers. American has five daily flights from Miami and one from Charlotte. American's Charlotte route isn't doing well, as its load factor was below 60 percent in 2018, it said in previous regulatory filings.
Kelly says the excitement about going to Cuba has worn off.
"There simply isn't much to do there other than a few nice beaches."
