Charter Flights From BWI To Cuba Face Scrutiny

LINTHICUM, Md. (AP) -- A Florida company that hopes to offer charter flights from Baltimore to Cuba is being scrutinized by federal officials for promoting its plans before receiving the necessary approval.

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport announced this month that Tampa-based Island Travel & Tours Ltd. would begin offering charter flights from BWI to Cuba in March.

Charles Smith, a U.S. Department of Transportation attorney looking into the matter, tells The Baltimore Sun the company is "licensed to fly out of another city, but not Baltimore." He says the government is working to determine whether the announcement violated rules that prevent advertising before charter schedules have been authorized.

Island Travel president William Hauf says he's confident the company did nothing inappropriate, noting that the airport put out the press release.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)