Washington, August 18 (RHC)-- The Barack Obama administration is working to reach a deal with Cuba by year’s end that would allow travelers to fly on scheduled commercial flights between the two countries, U.S. officials say -- chipping away at a travel ban without requiring Congress to lift it.

According to World Street Journal, the agreement would allow airlines to establish regular service between the U.S. and Cuba as early as December, marking the most significant expansion of economic and tourism ties between the U.S. and Cuba since the 1950s, when Americans regularly traveled back and forth to Havana.

The Obama administration is also reportedly exploring further steps to loosen travel restrictions for Americans to the island nation despite the decades-old congressional ban.