The United States and Cuba have announced on Thursday a new bilateral arrangement allowing air services between the two countries to resume after 50 years.

An official press release informs the arrangement seeks to facilitate more authorized travel, enhance choices for travelers, and promote personal connections between citizens of the U.S. and the people of Cuba.

The bilateral agreement is seen as a critical component of President Obama’s changing policy toward the communist nation. However, Americans and Cubans will still not be able to travel for fun to either country.

"While U.S. law continues to prohibit travel to Cuba for tourist activities, a stronger civil aviation relationship will facilitate growth in authorized travel between our two countries-a critical component of the President's policy toward Cuba," the statement said.

In a White House statement, the president remarked upon the historic nature of the new policy. “One year ago, I announced that after more than 50 years, America would change its relationship with Cuba and put the interests of the people of both countries before the outdated ways of the past,” said the President, adding, “Since then, we have taken important steps forward to normalize relations between our countries.”

Obama said that after re-establishing diplomatic relations and opening embassies, expanding travel options for the citizens of both nations was the next big step.

The BBC reports the announcement of the agreement comes at a time when travel from the U.S. to Cuba is already surging.

Obama acknowledged that Congress could help to support a better life for the Cuban people by simply lifting an embargo which he called a legacy of a failed policy.

Sen. Marco Rubio, a 2016 Republican presidential hopeful, took to Twitter to make it clear that he does not support Obama’s policies toward Cuba.

Obama expressed confidence in the country's changing stance towards Cuba. "Over the next year, we will continue on this path, empowering Cubans and Americans to lead the way,” he said.