Thursday, January 5, 2017

Marabu Charcoal to be Imported

Reneo Consulting Announces Deal to Bring First Cuban Export to U.S. In More than Half a Century

 Agreement Marks New Era of Trade Between U.S. and Cuba

NEWS PROVIDED BY
Reneo Consulting LLC
Jan 05, 2017, 12:42 ET

   
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Reneo Consulting LLC announced today that its subsidiary company Coabana Trading LLC has finalized an agreement with Cuba Export to import into the United States Marabu (sicklebush) charcoal produced in Cuba.  This marks the first time in more than half a century that a Cuban-produced product will be exported from Cuba and sold in the United States.

"This is truly a momentous occasion," said Scott Gilbert, Chairman of Reneo.  "Marabu charcoal is widely viewed as the best artisanal charcoal in the world.   Now U.S. consumers will be able to purchase this product, as have Europeans and others for many years."

"More importantly," Gilbert emphasized, "this marks the beginning of a new era of trade between the United States and Cuba.  This is a perfect example of a win-win for both our countries.  The Marabu plant is an invasive weed that clogs otherwise fertile organic fields in Cuba – now it can be used to produce this fantastic artisanal charcoal, thereby clearing the fields and making them available for agricultural growth."

"Marabu charcoal is cut and produced by private Cuban cooperatives, providing them with a growing market less than 100 miles away.  This is but the first step in what should be a blossoming trade relationship involving many different products," said Gilbert.

"Of course," Gilbert added, "we still are severely limited in what we can do by the so-called embargo, the most severe trade and travel restrictions we have imposed on any country in the world.  This demonstrably failed relic of the cold war should be consigned to the trash heap of history, where it belongs.  For those who may disagree, I urge you to travel to Cuba, to interact with the Cuban people, to see what works and what does not, and then to make a considered judgment.  In the meantime, we will do all that we can to expand our economic relations with the people of Cuba."

Cuban Marabu charcoal should be available in the United States in early 2017, marketed by Fogo Charcoal, a subsidiary of Susshi International Inc. and sold through various retailers.

About Reneo Consulting LLC

Reneo Consulting LLC is a strategic consulting firm helping businesses, private and public organizations, and individuals resolve their most intractable and complicated challenges.  Reneo is well-versed in crisis management and international strategic negotiation among other practices which ensure our clients' core business interests are maintained.

SOURCE Reneo Consulting LLC

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reneo-consulting-announces-deal-to-bring-first-cuban-export-to-us-in-more-than-half-a-century-300386538.html
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Kerry Exit Memo on Cuba Policy

U.S. Department of State
Secretary John Kerry
Cabinet Exit Memo
January 5, 2017

Deepening Cooperation in the Americas 

For over fifty years, our efforts to isolate Cuba failed to advance our objective of empowering Cubans to build an open and democratic country. In fact, it was often the United States – not Cuba – that was left isolated by this policy.

That’s why President Obama decided it was time for a new approach that would enhance our engagement with the Cuban people and better support their aspirations. Over the last two years, we have reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba, reopened our Embassy in Havana, and advanced engagement efforts on a number of fronts. For the first time in fifty years, we have reestablished direct commercial flights and direct mail flights between the United States and Cuba. We have lifted the restrictions on certain Cuban products, opened doors for cooperation in mutually-beneficial areas such as marine protected areas and health, and facilitated an expansion of authorized travel to Cuba. We continue to support improved human rights and democratic reforms in Cuba and are confident that this new approach will be a more effective way to do so.

Going forward, if we want to deepen the connections that bind our nations and our peoples, it is critical for Congress to lift the embargo on Cuba, an outdated burden on the Cuban people that continues to impede U.S. interests. Over time, we believe greater engagement will serve the interests of both the American people and Cuban people, and provide a better foundation for growth and progress in the relationship between our countries.

Our new relationship with Cuba has also removed an irritant in our relationships throughout the Western Hemisphere. Throughout this administration, we have worked to advance a Western Hemisphere that is prosperous, secure, democratic, and that plays a greater global role. For the first time in the history in this region, the number of people in the middle class has surpassed the number living in poverty. We maintain close partnerships with our neighbors, Canada and Mexico, and strong relationships with countries throughout the region, from Chile to Argentina to Colombia, where, with our quiet but steady support, they are closer than ever to ending the planet’s longest running civil war. We remain deeply engaged in the region, alongside key partners, to address the humanitarian situation in Venezuela. We are also working with our Central American partners to put that region on a course to sustained, broad-based economic growth, better government performance, and improved security conditions. And in the years ahead we should continue to forge partnerships throughout the Western Hemisphere rooted in mutual respect and shared values. 
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Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Seattle - Los Angeles - Havana Daily on Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines launches service to Havana amid uncertainty about Cuba policy


Alaska Airlines launches a daily flight Thursday morning from the West Coast to Havana.
The new service comes as the Obama administration’s opening to Cuba gives way to an uncertain future.
U.S. airlines competed aggressively last year for a limited number of slots to begin regular scheduled service to Cuba.
Alaska Airlines won the only West Coast route awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, a daily roundtrip that starts in Seattle, goes to Los Angeles and then onward to Havana and back.
Over the past two years, the Obama administration has loosened restrictions on travel from the U.S. to Cuba. Visits simply for tourism remain illegal. U.S. travelers need to have a family ties, official business, or an educational, religious or humanitarian agenda.
But will the incoming Trump administration change the rules?
“Your guess is as good as mine at this point,” said John Kirby, vice president of Capacity Planning for Alaska Airlines.
“Obviously, there is always a potential that things could change,” he said. “But since service has started, it is difficult to envision us taking a big step backwards.”
Republican leaders of the newly sworn in U.S. Congress have given no indication they will loosen the longstanding trade embargo with Cuba.
President-elect Donald Trump also has made hawkish statements regarding the U.S.-Cuba relationship and criticized President Barack Obama’s deal making with the Castro regime, which led to the liberalization of travel and financial restrictions.
As with so many of Trump’s policy positions, significant uncertainty surrounds what the incoming president actually plans to do in office.
Alaska Airlines will use a Boeing 737-900ER, which carries 181 passengers, for its Cuba flights.
“We think the allure of going to Cuba because it’s been restricted to most Americans for so many years is going to be a big driver bringing volume initially,” Kirby said Wednesday. “If restrictions are lessened even further and tourism is allowed, we think this will be the largest market in the Caribbean.”
Alaska Air’s inaugural Cuba flight will carry a 50-member civic and business delegation from Washington state and California along with about 100 other commercial passengers.
The delegation includes University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce, King County (Washington) Executive Dow Constantine, Visit Seattle President Tom Norwalk and Seattle Hospitality Group owner Howard Wright III.
The entire five member Port of Seattle Commission as well as Port CEO Ted Fick are joining the Cuba trip, while the Port of Tacoma will be represented by Commissioner Connie Bacon.
Last month, Port of Tacoma commissioners debated whether to send anyone at all.
Commissioner Don Johnson called the Cuba trip “an absolute boondoggle.”
“If you look at the agenda, it’s just a tour. It’s not business related at all,” Johnson said during the Dec. 15 commission meeting. “The last time I looked we didn’t have any customers down there.”
“I think it is really important to explore the possibilities for trade between Washington state and Cuba at this time,” Commissioner Clare Petrich said. “We used to be a provider of lentils and our farmers I think have worked closely with Cuba in the past. I hope we can reopen those trade routes once again.”
Alaska Airlines prepared a packed itinerary for the delegation that includes limited time for meetings with local officials.
Much of the itinerary is taken up with touring to places such as the Plaza de la Revolucion, Ernest Hemingway Home, the Granma Memorial, an artist’s studio, cigar factory, classic car workshop and several musical performances.
A Port of Tacoma memo estimated the per person cost of the three-day trip at $3,000.
“I will do my best to make it worthwhile,” Bacon said to close debate.
Two Port of Seattle Commissioners, Tom Albro and John Creighton, decided to pay for their travel to Cuba out of their own pockets. The taxpayer-supported port will pay for its other participants’ travel out of public funds at a cost of $1,450 to $1,750 per person, according to a port spokesman.
“This visit will provide the Port the opportunity to explore trade, tourism, and environmental opportunities with Cuba,” read a memo from the commission’s chief of staff justifying the expenditure.
Cauce, who is Cuban-born and bilingual, emigrated from Havana to Miami with her parents during the Cuban Revolution when she was a young child. On board the inaugural flight with her will be a University of Washington department chair from the School of Medicine, Dr. Jurgen Unutzer.
“We’re hopeful that Dr. Unutzer can find some synergies with what Cuba is doing in the area of population health that could lead to some productive partnerships in the future,” University Associate Vice President Norm Arkans wrote in an email.
Arkans said the University of Washington leaders would travel as guests of Alaska Airlines.

http://www.ktoo.org/2017/01/04/alaska-airlines-launches-service-havana-amid-uncertainty-cuba-policy/
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Friday, December 30, 2016

Sun Country Delays Cuba Flights Until December

Sun Country seeks delay in start of Cuba flights

The airline cites challenges to overcome in the smaller Cuban cities it was assigned. 
By  Star Tribune

DECEMBER 30, 2016 — 2:53PM


itemprop
TOM SWEENEY, STAR TRIBUNE
Sun Country Airlines, which recently won permission to start two routes from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Cuba, wants more time before it starts flying them, to December 2017 instead of March.
Sun Country Airlines, which recently won permission to start two routes from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Cuba, wants more time before it starts flying them.
Sun Country last week asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to push back the start date of the routes to December 2017. The Eagan-based airline had been expected to start flying the routes — between MSP and the Cuban cities of Santa Clara and Matanzas — as soon as March.
“Given the continued travel and trade embargo constraints with Cuba, our request to start service at a later date is to ensure our customers will have an easy and enjoyable experience when traveling to Cuba on Sun Country Airlines,” Kelsey Dodson-Smith, Sun Country’s marketing chief, said via e-mail Thursday.
In its filing with the DOT, Sun Country said it hopes to mitigate the barriers from the trade embargo and overcome some operational challenges in the Cuban destinations, which are smaller and less well-known than the capital of Havana.
The airline is particularly strong in leisure travel and, during winter, raises the number of flights to warm-weather destinations from MSP and other Midwest markets.
Santa Clara is the capital of the Villa Clara province in central Cuba and Matanzas is capital of the Matanzas province on the country’s north coast, close to the resort town of Varadero and about 65 miles from Havana.
Over the decades that Americans were forbidden from visiting Cuba, Varadero became a destination for European, Canadian and South American tourists.
Sun Country was one of six U.S. airlines to be awarded routes by the DOT earlier this year, a step that came after the U.S. government restored diplomatic relations with Cuba in 2014.
Delta Air Lines, the dominant operator at MSP, won permission to fly to Havana from Atlanta, Miami and New York, and started the daily service on Dec. 1.
Delta sought no routes to Cuba from Minnesota. Atlanta is the airline’s headquarters and biggest hub, while Miami has the largest Cuban-American population in the U.S. and New York the second-largest.

http://www.startribune.com/sun-country-seeks-delay-in-start-of-cuba-flights/408664455/
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Thursday, December 29, 2016

Silver Airways Reduces Flights


Silver Airways extends Cuba service reductions in 2017

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Jim Liu
Jim Liu
Data & Analysis Manager - Airlineroute, Routesonline
 Follow @airlineroute 
Silver Airways in recent schedule update has extended frequency reductions for following Cuba markets. The airline previously planned frequency reduction between the first week of January and mid-February 2017, however these reductions will now be extended beyond 15FEB17.

Ft. Lauderdale – Camaguey eff 09JAN17  Service operates 3 weekly (Day 246) instead of 5 weekly (Day x15)
Ft. Lauderdale – Cayo Coco eff 07JAN17 Service operates 2 weekly (Day 26) instead of 3 weekly (Day 246)
Ft. Lauderdale – Holguin eff 13JAN17 Service operates 3 weekly (Day 257; Day 146 from 16FEB17) instead of 1 daily
Ft. Lauderdale – Manzanillo eff 06JAN17 Service operates 2 weekly (Day 25) instead of 3 weekly (Day 235)
Ft. Lauderdale – Varadero eff 04JAN17 Service operates 3 weekly (Day 357; Day 157 from 17FEB17) instead of 4 weekly (Day x246)

From 14FEB17, Ft. Lauderdale – Santiago de Cuba will also see reduction, operating 3 weekly (Day 357) instead of 1 daily.

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/270569/silver-airways-extends-cuba-service-reductions-in-2017/?highlight=Cuba
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Thursday, December 22, 2016

Fathom Combines DR and Santiago de Cuba

Fathom Receives Approval to Add Santiago de Cuba to Six Itineraries


Adonia Fathom Editorial Use Only Photo Courtesy of Fathom Cruises
Photo Courtesy of Fathom Cruises and Carnival Corporation
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