The dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro ordered this Monday at international airlines resume their flights to Venezuela within 48 hours, and noted that those who do not comply will face the revocation of their operating permits.
The threat was transmitted by the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC), after a few days marked by the general suspension of commercial routes after the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning on Friday for the main companies to avoid Venezuelan airspace and the southern Caribbean due to a “potentially dangerous situation” linked to the deterioration of security and the increase in military activity in Venezuela and its surroundings.
International airlines such as Iberia, Air Europa, Plus Ultra, TAP Air Portugal, Gol, Avianca, Latam, Caribbean Airlines and Turkish Airlines They suspended their operations to and from Venezuela.
Air Europa, for example, canceled its five weekly flights between Madrid and Caracas “until further notice”, while the Spanish Iberia extended the suspension of its route until at least December 1. Turkish Airlines also reported the cancellation of its services between November 24 and 28.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents more than 350 global companies, warned this Monday that the Chavista regime’s ultimatum will have negative consequences for the country’s already poor connectivity.
“This decision will further reduce connectivity, which is already one of the lowest in the region“, indicated the IATA.
The statement emphasized that the suspensions are “temporary measures” derived from “rigorous risk analysis” and reiterated the commitment to resume operations “when conditions allow.”
IATA also requested greater cooperation and clarity to the Maduro dictatorship on the security evaluation criteria, expressing the sector’s willingness to maintain open channels to coordinate the protection of passengers, crews and aircraft, in addition to pointing out that any return must occur under “strict compliance with current security regulations.”
The recommendation of the US FAA was added to the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA)which urged that country’s airlines not to operate in the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR), which covers Venezuelan airspace and part of the Caribbean, at least until December 1.
The Spanish public entity Enaire issued the alert to the companies, which responded with the total suspension of services in response to the risks detected en route and the Venezuelan airport environment.
So far, the Venezuelan Ministry of Communication and INAC have not issued official comments on the announcement. Attempts by the international press to contact the Chavista regime went unanswered.
The backdrop to this crisis is an increase in the diplomatic, commercial and logistical isolation of Venezuela. The country, one of the least connected by air in Latin America due to the exodus of airlines after years of exchange controls, institutional crisis and legal conflicts, now faces a scenario in which international companies must choose between resuming flights despite the warnings of their own regulators or completely abandoning the Venezuelan market, provisionally or permanently.
The next few days will be key to determining whether the airlines give in to the official requirement or maintain the suspensions until acceptable safety conditions are reestablished.
Thousands of passengers and the tourism sector remain in uncertainty, while Venezuela’s international connectivity is reduced to a minimum.
(With information from Reuters)
