US airlines are eyeing the launch of scheduled routes to Cuba after the two countries reopened their embassies this week.

The US Embassy in Havana and the Cuban Embassy in Washington DC are open again after being closed for more than half a century since 1961.

However, the trade embargo stopping US firms trading in Cuba still remains.

American Airlines chairman and chief executive officer, Doug Parker, says: “American Airlines has operated charter flights to Cuba for nearly 25 years and we stand ready to begin scheduled service when it’s allowed.”

He says the reopening is an important step toward building “new commercial relationships” and re-establishing scheduled services. American has operated flights to Cuba since 1991 with charter services to Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Havana, Holguín and Santa Clara.

United Airlines also welcomed the opening of the embassies and in a statement says: “We look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue with both governments about providing customers service between our two nations, subject to government approval.”