The State Department announced Thursday that the United States and Cuba have reached an agreement to resume commercial air travel between the two countries for the first time in more than half a century. A representative from the State Department said, “This arrangement will continue to allow charter operations and establish scheduled air service, which will facilitate an increase in authorized travel, enhance traveler choices and promote people-to-people links between the two countries.” The U.S. law still bars travel to Cuba for tourism. Flights will resume after the Federal Aviation Administration ensures safety regulations.