Following the recent rapprochement between the United States and Cuba, U.S. air carriers are eager to resume commercial flights to the Caribbean destination. But Republican presidential hopeful and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wants no such flights to depart from the Garden State until Havana extradites a woman convicted of killing a state trooper in 1977.

In a letter he sent to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the state's critical Newark Liberty International Airport, Christie asked that direct flights to Cuba not be approved until the island nation's communist government hands over Joanne Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, who escaped following her conviction and was granted asylum by Cuban authorities.

"It is unacceptable to me as governor to have any flights between New Jersey and Cuba until and unless convicted cop-killer and escaped fugitive Joanne Chesimard is returned to New Jersey to face justice," Christie wrote in his missive.

A copy of the letter addressed to John Degnan, the Port Authority's chairman, also went to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection, the Wall Street Journal detailed.

"I will not tolerate rewarding the Cuban government for continuing to harbor a fugitive," Christie wrote. "I will continue to exercise my authority to ensure that Chesimard is returned."

"I understand Gov. Christie's strongly expressed concerns and will commence an immediate review of the agency's role in the proposed flight between Newark and Cuba," Degnan replied.

At least one major carrier, meanwhile, seemed unimpressed with the governor's arguments. United Airlines spokesman Rahsaan Johnson insisted that the airline intends to request flights from Newark to Cuban destinations, once Washington and Havana work out an agreement under which regular commercial air service can be resumed, Fox News noted.

"We remain very interested in serving Cuba as soon as we are able to do so, and believe United's service would benefit the airport and the region," Johnson said.

Newark, which serves the New York metropolitan area, is one of the carrier's key hubs on the East Coast.