U.S. bans flights to all Cuban cities except Havana

U.S. Department of State said Friday that the United States would ban U.S. airlines from flying to all Cuban international airports except the international airport in Havana starting from December to further pressure the Cuban government.

Passengers of a JetBlue aeroplane, the first commercial scheduled flight between the United States and Cuba in more than 50 years, carry U.S. and Cuban national flags after landing at the Abel Santamaria International Airport in Santa Clara, Cuba, August 31, 2016. [File Photo: IC]

Scheduled air service between the United States and Cuban international airports other than Havana's Jose Marti International Airport would be barred in 45 days, the State Department said in a statement.

This move aims to prevent the Cuban government from profiting from U.S. air travel, the statement added.

According to U.S. media, the United States will suspend scheduled flights from various U.S. cities to nine destinations in Cuba, including Santa Clara, Santiago, and Holguin.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the U.S. move on Twitter, saying it "strengthens U.S. citizens' travel ban; mutilates U.S. people liberties & damages people-to-people contacts."

"But they won't extract any concession from us. We shall overcome!" Rodriguez wrote.

The U.S.-Cuba relationship has deteriorated under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has rolled back the detente initiated by his predecessor Barack Obama.