WORLD NEWS | Wed Sep 7, 2016 11:48am EDT

U.S. lawmakers want moratorium on commercial flights to Cuba

Two leading critics of President Barack Obama's moves toward normal relations with Cuba introduced legislation on Wednesday seeking to temporarily halt commercial flights between the United States and the island because of security concerns.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, both Cuban-American opponents of Obama's Cuba policy, introduced the Cuban Airport Security Act. The measure would stop commercial flights until after a study of security measures and equipment at airports in Cuba.

The U.S. government has granted several U.S. airlines permission to begin scheduled flights to Cuba, opening another chapter in the Obama administration's efforts to improve ties and increase trade and travel with the former Cold War foe.

A JetBlue Airways Corp passenger jet flew to Santa Clara, Cuba, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Aug. 31. It was the first scheduled commercial passenger flight from the United States to Cuba in more than half a century.

Commercial flights to the capital, Havana, are expected to begin later this year.

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