U.S. airlines are still awaiting a response from the federal authorities to begin direct flights to Cuba, Cuban ambassador in the United States, Jose Ramon Cabañas said Thursday.

During a press conference on Twitter, Cabañas said that the airlines already have the green light with the Institute of Civil Aeronautics of Cuba, but the U.S. government has still not given its authorization.

Last February, the governments of Cuba and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding to resume direct civil flights after 50 years interrupted by the US blockade against Cuba.

Such action will establish up to 20 direct daily flights from the United States to Havana and 10 more to nine different airports in Cuba, as Santiago de Cuba, Manzanillo and Camaguey.

However, nearly four months following the signing of the agreement, the airlines are still waiting for a response from the US Government, although the sale of the tickets is expected to begin at the end of this year.

(Radio Habana Cuba)